Feeling down as the days get shorter, darker; weather gets worse

whirlpool

How is everyone getting on with the days getting shorter, nights getting darker and the weather getting worse?

I find September difficult every year. I hate the days getting shorter. The weather makes it more difficult to get out and about too. I always find myself in a bizarre, "down" mood for a good few weeks.

Daisy78

Im the same. I used to like the onset of autumn but now I find it difficult especially the darkness. The only way I can get through it is to be extra nice to myself for the next couple of months. I suggest you start by reading the "things I love about autumn thread" over in the sunshine forum as a starting point!

Catari Jaguar

Hey, I get winter blues where I will stay on stay in my pyjamas all weekend, the thought of going outside in Nov - Jan when it's dark/cold is almost physically painful. I have been wrecked tired all this week and sniffly

I find if I start taking Vitamin D supplements in August it helps a lot with those "non" days of empty feelings & non motivation once it kicks in mid September.

I also bought a mega watt Lightbox for light therapy. Helps get up if the morning looks like it's filled with sunlight.

Merkin

I'd also second the Vitamin D advice. And try and get into a regular exercise routine as it definitely releases some endorphins. I also find the winter really tough so I do sympathise, I hate the short days.

Can you let us know how you get on with the Lightbox Catari? I'd be keen to know if you think it helps.

Santa Cruz

It mightn't be pleasant but it's important to get out and about whenever you can. But I have to say that the last few winters looked like they never would end

claypigeon777

Book a cheap flight to Spain or Italy or Croatia or somewhere nice in Southern Europe for a few days.

bedrock#1

Afaik it's called Seasonal Affective Disorder (or the very apt - S.A.D.).

My grandad had it, when he retired he tried to spend as much of the winter outside Ireland mostly the Mediterranean.

There's loads of stuff on the interwebs about it.

Catari Jaguar

The Lightbox makes a big difference gettign up. I wouldn't do the sitting in front of it light therapy, but I set my alarm for about 10 min early, then switch it on & snooze again so seems bright when I get up & leave it on as I get ready. I wanted one that gradually gets brighter to an alarm on it but couldn't find a good one. The one I did get is called Brazilia and I got it in Murray's medical store in Dublin. Your electricity bills will take a hit though! Mega wattage!

whiskeyman

I have a DIY light box.
Just set your alarm at least 30mins before you get up, and turn on your bedside light (low enough wattage).
I usual dose and listen to radio, and the brightness helps waking up.
Give yourself time to eat a good breakfast to face the day.

As others have said, get out during the day if you can / walk during lunch etc...
I find exercise also great to keep active and feeling good - especially indoor sports. No excuse if the weather is crap!
Best of luck!

whiteandlight

Try finding a scheduled activity with friends for at least one night a week. I go to stitch and bitch or to rehearsals (involved in musical theatre) and while there are days I really don't want to go, I always find it gives me a lift

SpaceTime

Bear in mind that humans historically became quite inactive in the depths of winter.

We work against the normal ebb and flow of the seasons these days and really it's only in the last couple of centuries that we have been l doing that.

In the relatively recent past in winter you probably just didn't do much. The hours of light were short and everything slowed down until spring.

While we wouldn't have hibernated like a bear, we would have mostly eaten stored food and just chilled out and kept warm.

Your brain gets a signal from the shortening hours of day light to trigger that mode.

Light boxes and trips abroad help.

Also make sure your house is well lit.
Some of those dull energy saving lights aren't really much help if you're affected by the seasons like that.

It's really just because you're very closely tuned to the seasons.

Get as much daylight as possible too and try and stay active.

The main thing is don't stress about it. It's just your hibernation gene kicking in. You just need to know how to work around it!

tosspot15

As somebody earlier in the thread mentioned, it could possibly be Seasonal Affective Disorder/SAD..

We cant diagnose you, but if you do find the darker weather is making you feel particularly depressed then maybe you should speak to your GP about it.

SAD affects a lot of people in nordic countries and places that dont see much sunlight all year around. But then again, its just a common fact of life that most people find dull weather to be a bit depressing in a non-serious way.

sashafierce

This post has been deleted.

whirlpool

Thanks for all the replies. I read them all and took them all in. I hope you're all feeling good!