Winters coming...

NewFrockTuesday

...I know its too early to be talking about Winter, but honestly with the Summer we are having, its going to be rolling in before you know it. Already the days are sneaking back a little.

I found last Winter to be unbearably long and dark. I was working long hours so was leaving the house in the early morning darkness and coming home in darkiness. I worked behind a large screen in my office so didnt have any view of the window....so essentially was getting no sunlight bar the odd hoof around the block at lunch - when it wasnt whipping icy wind or pouring rain.

So this year Ive devised a plan. Im already taking a vitiman B12 capsule everyday, a multi vitiman, extra vitiman C (squeeze fresh OJ everymorning) and planning on doing a sunbed every week. I know the sunbeds are bad, but a 3 min blast of intense light is what Im after so not really in the burning range I dont think. Ive got St Johns Wort as well and Im in the process of moving office to a bright airy one. Thats about all I can think of to do.

How do ye all get through the Winter? It doesnt seem to bother guys as much - male friends just regard it as another season with less light. Female friends are already planning the route through. Are we mad? Worried about something trivial in the middle of Summer when we should be enjoying hte sun? I think little bit yes and a little bit no.

I know its not a seasonally appropriate thread, but best armed early I say


(Maybe mod remove and replace in October )

Will

The only thing you will really miss from proper sunlight is vitamin D, but can get it in other ways.

A healthy well rounded diet will sort you out, i wouldn't try rely too heavily on supplements but if you are having major problems maybe it's worth a look.

I just get on with it, i do dislike waking up in the dark and dreary days but not much you can do about it except get on with it and moan a bit while drinking down some coffee

shellyboo

I actually don't mind the Winter at all... I love gorgeous, crisp Autumnal days, and even cold winter ones as long as it's not lashing rain!

Some people are more affected by it than others, I suppose!

Nevyn

If you think you have issues with lack of sunlight and may have seasonal adjustment disorder then talk to your gp.
Personally I am enjoying the fact that it is actually dark by 10:30 pm.

stovelid

Never mind winter: I've been suffering from sunlight deficiency for the whole of July so far.

Latchy

I know lots of rain has being about but I think this summer (so far ) has being a big improvement on last year , sunshine wise and more light around in between the rain and in the evenings ,at least were I am .

Whispered

I love winter. I don't even mind when I get rained on. Perfect excuse to have an open fire. One of my fav holiday memories is from when we spent a week in Achill and it was horrible weather for the whole week.

NewFrockTuesday

Im from Achill It cosy alright right by the sea watching it all crash in. Open fires and casseroles . I do like the first few months of the wind down - love Sept,and Oct...but by the time April comes round, it feels like a year has passed in those few months alone.

Hhhmm...dont think Ive got it that bad as to call it a SADs, its just last winter tore the arse out of it after a really crappy summer. Ill be working less hours this winter so Ill get out a bit more and find a balance where I can enjoy the season as opposed to just getting through it.

Never mind winter: I've been suffering from sunlight deficiency for the whole of July so far.

Youre doomed! Summer is over. I dont expect to seee any more cracking days this year until maybe a few in September.

redapple

Latchy wrote: »

I know lots of rain has being about but I think this summer (so far ) has being a big improvement on last year , sunshine wise and more light around in between the rain and in the evenings ,at least were I am .

I agree I think its been ok so far...I have swam in the ocean a good few times. Down to Brittas a few times ..Sat out on my balcony with wine in the sun loads!

And I actually love winter. My fave part is getting a nice warm winter coat.With a scarf and gloves I feel sort of cosy and safe walking around and the air is so crisp. I love coming in from the cold into a warm pub, and then there is xmas!

I am just in a good mood today, usually I would be more pessimistic...

Whispered

Yep, our first night in Achill, cosy fire in front of a big window with a huuuuge glass of wine and a bowl of soup. Crashing rain, howling winds, all very dramatic. . Very nice woman in the pub too, she was worried about us being wet.

I think if I lived somewhere as beautiful as Achill, I'd like winter time even more.

SeekUp

But . . . it's July!

Stresses me out thinking about winter . . . having to do the seasonal clothes switch . . . etc. . . .

Oh The Humanity

I despise winter, the relentless darkness causes deep, deep, depression.
Seasonal affective disorder, just after the clocks change I usually plunge into despair!

I dread Winter and particularly Christmas which I find insufferably stressful and claustrophobic.....

I think you would be better getting a light box though rather than burning/aging your skin.

I am taking all the vitamins too. I wish I had a home somewhere warm and bright so I could escape the relentlessness of Irish Winter...ah to have the cash!!!

BlackandGold

I gotta say, right now with the rain lashing down outside I'm thinking "rain rain go away, please go away!" Have a sun holiday booked for a week so all is not lost. I'm not one for sitting in the sun but I do feel happier when it's bright outside!!

Am also a terrible morning person, and if I can see it's dull and cloudy and rainy outside I REALLY just want to snuggle further into the bed, whereas if it's bright and sunny I don't mind have as much getting up for work.

I have to admit though, that I do quite like winter. All of my friends think I'm nuts! They adore the sun. I like the crispness and cosiness of wrapping up nice and warm. I love the rain [once I don't get caught off guard in it!] If I'm dressed appropriately for winter then I love it. The only thing I hate is frost - driving on slippy roads is NOT fun, and I'm very clumsy so inevitably end up slipping on the ice too!

IvyTheTerrible

Deepsense wrote: »

...I know its too early to be talking about Winter, but honestly with the Summer we are having, its going to be rolling in before you know it. Already the days are sneaking back a little.

I found last Winter to be unbearably long and dark. I was working long hours so was leaving the house in the early morning darkness and coming home in darkiness. I worked behind a large screen in my office so didnt have any view of the window....so essentially was getting no sunlight bar the odd hoof around the block at lunch - when it wasnt whipping icy wind or pouring rain.

So this year Ive devised a plan. Im already taking a vitiman B12 capsule everyday, a multi vitiman, extra vitiman C (squeeze fresh OJ everymorning) and planning on doing a sunbed every week. I know the sunbeds are bad, but a 3 min blast of intense light is what Im after so not really in the burning range I dont think. Ive got St Johns Wort as well and Im in the process of moving office to a bright airy one. Thats about all I can think of to do.

How do ye all get through the Winter? It doesnt seem to bother guys as much - male friends just regard it as another season with less light. Female friends are already planning the route through. Are we mad? Worried about something trivial in the middle of Summer when we should be enjoying hte sun? I think little bit yes and a little bit no.

I know its not a seasonally appropriate thread, but best armed early I say


(Maybe mod remove and replace in October )

You're well prepared! I find the winters very depressing, I try to get out and about as much as possible.

A word of warning about the St John's Wort though: AFAIK, if you are on the contraceptive pill, St John's Wort can interfere with it's usefulness.

Abi

The weather is just annoying at the moment. The only way you could possibly dress for this kind of weather is shorts, t-shirt, wellies, and a brolly ffs. I was in town today, and the second I'd tie my zippy top around my waist because it was too warm - the freakin' heavens opened :rolleyes:

Roll on the winter, we don't even have proper summers. I would happily have the dark mornings and evenings again rather than clammy weather. The heat just drains me

Deepsense wrote: »

Im from Achill It cosy alright right by the sea watching it all crash in. Open fires and casseroles . I do like the first few months of the wind down - love Sept,and Oct...

Me too! I love making big pots of soups and casseroles Oh and a big +1 to the wine and a big fire!

Snoopy1

My 1st post

I was talking about this with my mum the other day. I said i would prefer it to be Autumn, as at least we'd know what kind of weather to expect. Now we dont know whether its going to rain or be sunny.

Ive been buying jumpers for the last month, as there seems no point in buying t-shirts

Latchy

I'm in north west England and it's being absolutley beautiful today , warm ,sunny , with a nice cool breeze and apparently August is supposed to be quite warm to

all_smilz

even in winter there is still light.... try and get out for a walk during your lunchbreak or on way into work and on your days off. I love a nice walk in the winter.... NOTHING like it.

Stheno

shellyboo wrote: »

I actually don't mind the Winter at all... I love gorgeous, crisp Autumnal days, and even cold winter ones as long as it's not lashing rain!

Yep, same here, love Autumn and winter, much prefer them to summer, I find even the warm days here very draining lol

Winters

Im in your seazons, playinz with yore weather.

ohanloj3

You really should be careful with St.Johns wort and if you really feel you need it maybe you should see your GP instead.

LadyJ

I love winter. It's so cosy and nice to be inside, all snuggled up, watching movies and tv shows I've downloaded while the rain crashes against the windows. I love coming home on a cold, wet day, drying off and getting into a pair of pjs that my boyfriend has warmed up for me and then having a big hot bowl of chicken soup.

Plus Christmas time in pubs is my favourite! They always light big fires and have lovely big trees. I love just going for a pint with a group of friends near Christmas time.

jmbkay

I like Winter. Short days are great. Summers ok, but we expect the weather to be good, and when its not, we get fed up. The heat drains the life out of me though.

SarahSassy

I hate the damp cold and dont care if its in summer or winter. I thoroughly hate the darkness of winter but love the light of our summer. I dont need permanent heat but the dark in winter kills me... Time to move to sunnier climes.

DetectivFoxtrot

I have to say I empathise with the OP. I wish winter didn't get me down but it just does - it's purely the lack of daylight thing for me. My energy and good mood deplete as soon as darkness falls. I particularly hate those days where it never quite feels like day time, i.e. dull to the point where the office/house lights have to be on ALL day - the thought of it is giving me the shivers....! :eek:
On 21st of June it subconcsiously popped into my head that the darkest day would be arriving in only 6 months time!!

On a lighter note the below comment really cheered me up and reminded me of one of the most nostalgic moments of winter that is truly prescious, thanks LadyJ!

LadyJ wrote: »

....Plus Christmas time in pubs is my favourite! They always light big fires and have lovely big trees. I love just going for a pint with a group of friends near Christmas time.

Snoopy1

Actually i cannot wait for winter now. I am sick of the diy enthusiasts on my street, making loads noise when im trying to sleep after a night shift. Today i got into bed at 8am, and the bloke behind me started building his shed at 9am, so im very tired and grumpy. At least in the winter i can sleep :mad:

leahyl

LadyJ wrote: »

I love winter. It's so cosy and nice to be inside, all snuggled up, watching movies and tv shows I've downloaded while the rain crashes against the windows. I love coming home on a cold, wet day, drying off and getting into a pair of pjs that my boyfriend has warmed up for me and then having a big hot bowl of chicken soup.

Plus Christmas time in pubs is my favourite! They always light big fires and have lovely big trees. I love just going for a pint with a group of friends near Christmas time.

+++1! I love winter - the main thing being that Christmas is during the winter and i ADORE christmas! I love those dark, wet evenings when you're at home and snuggled up by the fire watching a good movie with a cup of tea and the rain is lashing against the windows and the wind is howling! Sorry that's just me! Summer is usually a big let down in terms of weather so at least you're expecting it in Winter:D

pookie82

I have to second the winter supporters. Thought I was the only one who loved heading into September and was never sorry to see the back of summer. I absolutely love Halloween and Christmas so September to December is my favourite time of year. I'm already anticipating it with tingles of glee in my tummy :-) I love when it gets dark at four o clock and the evening last forever and you can snuggle in a blanket in front of the tv. I'm really dreading not having an open fire this year though - moved into an apartment in March and it doesn't have one. Winter nights just won't be the same!! Will have to light lots of candles in the one area on the floor and pretend :-) Anyone have any ideas for a good open fire replacement?? Can you get a good fake one which will stand alone and doesn't have to be fitted??

But anyway ya, love winter, especially if it's bitter cold and frosty with clear skies.

The Big Red Button

Winter is good because when you get home from work, you can guiltlessly get straight into your snuggliest PJs and cuddle up under a quilt on the couch with a glass of wine and a yummy hot dinner and stay there for the evening until you go to bed ridiculously early ... if you did that in summer you'd just feel like a big lazyarse when it's still bright outside and everyone else is out being active and stuff!

Also - you can get away with shaving your legs a lot less - and Christmas is brilliant, especially the big build-up to it!

Now I will admit that getting up in the dark in the mornings is just nasty, and the whole month of January is always hellish and feels like it'll never end ever. But then you're into spring again, looking forward to Valentines Day and Easter and then it's back to summer ...

At least in winter, you don't expect a lot, so if nice things happen you really appreciate them. Whereas you always look forward to summer so much and it's bound to disappoint you. This was my most boring summer ever - no job => no money or holidays - so I just can't wait for winter this time!

DetectivFoxtrot

pookie82 wrote: »

I have to second the winter supporters. Thought I was the only one who loved heading into September and was never sorry to see the back of summer. I absolutely love Halloween and Christmas so September to December is my favourite time of year. I'm already anticipating it with tingles of glee in my tummy :-) I love when it gets dark at four o clock and the evening last forever and you can snuggle in a blanket in front of the tv. I'm really dreading not having an open fire this year though - moved into an apartment in March and it doesn't have one. Winter nights just won't be the same!! Will have to light lots of candles in the one area on the floor and pretend :-) Anyone have any ideas for a good open fire replacement?? Can you get a good fake one which will stand alone and doesn't have to be fitted??

But anyway ya, love winter, especially if it's bitter cold and frosty with clear skies.

loads of chuch candles of different sizes, placed closely together sitting in a pool of pebbles/stones or get a big chrome lantern and place one big church candle in it. I had these when I had my apartment and it made a world of difference in terms of coziness and ambience.
If you want to spend a few quid you can get a proper modern electric fire - stand alone or wall hanging

Xiney

I don't know how I'm going to survive another winter here.

I'm so f*cking fed up

NewFrockTuesday

Xiney wrote: »

I don't know how I'm going to survive another winter here.

I'm so f*cking fed up

Youre doomed Xiney ...its only Summer yet.

It would appear that I am not the only one whos not a big fan of Winter. The September/October months are two I actually look farward to bizzarely. I love the colours and the light and the days are just a perfect length. Its baby bear season

Actually i cannot wait for winter now. I am sick of the diy enthusiasts on my street, making loads noise when im trying to sleep after a night shift. Today i got into bed at 8am, and the bloke behind me started building his shed at 9am, so im very tired and grumpy. At least in the winter i can sleep

Haha! Too funny! I live in the real world Cocoon so its pretty quiet.

Im revising the St Johns Wort idea util I research it a bit more. Its alot more potent that I thought it was apparently. Has anyoe used it before? Not asking in a medical way...just how you found it. I was basing my proposed usage on loose converations and evesdropping in health shops. Go Nurse Dee

Im thinking accupuncture now.

Honor3

Hi,

You are allowed to grow St.Johns Wort in Ireland.

Notes:
- You must use it for your own use.
- Seeds,Planting & Use of it is LEGAL.
- Personal Use = LEGAL.

It is just banned on shelves.


Also, if you consider buying the seeds there are many websites, even ebay,amazon,etc;
But if you do buy the seeds, make sure you get good enough quality ones and research the seeds you are buying.

The seeds are cheap,

Also;
St.Johns Wort can be much more effective than Prozac, as certain St.Johns Wort chemical properties also effect dopamine,gaba,etc ; Prozac from my understanding only effect Serotonin and Noradrenaline,

And hey, I have nothing against Prozac, but getting to a doctor is hard enough, plus St.Johns Wort can be more effective as in, some species of St.johns Wort also may target Dopamine & Gaba & some others, while Prozac and some other antidepressants only effect Serotonin and Noradrenaline, .


Other notes:
Different St.John's Wort seeds (species) = different chemical = different effects.


Other notes:
Don't take too much. From my experience, taking too much off it made me angry. So if it says on the box to take 1-2 pills then do what it says, because I tried taking some more and it made me angry. But when I took less I felt much more happy and in the flow .

WARNING:
St.John's Wort is known to interact with certain medications and even medical conditions .

- E.G: If you are currently taking any medications, then do NOT take St.Johns Wort, talk to your doctor.



Pharmacodynamics:

Hyperforin is believed to be the primary active constituent responsible for the antidepressant and anxiolytic properties of the extracts of St. John's wort. It acts as a reuptake inhibitor of monoamines, including serotonin, norepinephrine, dopamine, and of GABA and glutamate, with IC50 values of 0.05-0.10 mcg/ml for all compounds, with the exception of glutamate, which is in the 0.5 mcg/ml range. It appears to exert these effects by activating the transient receptor potential ion channel TRPC6. Activation of TRPC6 induces the entry of sodium and calcium into the cell which causes inhibition of monoamine reuptake. Hyperforin is also thought to be responsible for the induction of the cytochrome P450 enzymes CYP3A4 and CYP2C9 by binding to and activating the pregnane X receptor (PXR).

Mechanism of action:

Hyperforin is believed to be the primary active constituent responsible for the antidepressant and anxiolytic properties of the extracts of St. John's wort. It acts as a reuptake inhibitor of monoamines, including serotonin, norepinephrine, dopamine, and of GABA and glutamate, with IC50 values of 0.05-0.10 mcg/ml for all compounds, with the exception of glutamate, which is in the 0.5 mcg/ml range. It appears to exert these effects by activating the transient receptor potential ion channel TRPC6. Activation of TRPC6 induces the entry of sodium and calcium into the cell which causes inhibition of monoamine reuptake.

http://www.drugbank.ca/drugs/DB01892


WARNING:
- ALWAYS Consult with your doctor before taking St.Johns Wort.

**** - IF YOU HAVE ANY MEDICAL CONDITIONS AND OR YOU ARE TAKING MEDICATIONS THEN YOU MUST TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR FIRST. ST.JOHN'S WORT INTERACTS WITH SOME MEDICATIONS AND CONDITIONS. ****

Honor3

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=06m6uzoyVTw

Lucyfur

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