What Do You Do To Ward Off The Winter Blues?

[PerfectlyFlawed]

With snowfall and short days, lack of sunlight can bring me into a hibernating state of sleeping more often and eating high-calorie foods. What do you do to stave off the winter depression?

 

[Deleted member 6617]

Great question....I'd like to know the answer to that too!

 

[friendlybadger]

I'm trying to save some money to buy a light box--or get insurance to cover at least part of it... I hear they work wonders with SAD. I used to tan alot and felt better during the long dark winters. It helped the seasonal depression, but didn't do anything for my 'regular' depression {half-smile ;) }

 

[J'aime]

I heard that tanning helps, but I was diagnosed with Malignant Melanoma last May, and the resulting surgery was quite extensive. I learned the hard way to protect my skin. So during the winter, I take lots of vitamins, especialky Vitamin D, which is a great supplement for the lack of Vitamin D that results fom shorter days. Also, during my cancer and the aftermath, I was not able to eat much. Chad's aunt gave me Juice Plus supplements. One is for fruit, one is for veggies...and at first, I was extremely skeptical, because I am not a huge herbal believer. Well, wasn't a herbal believer. But WOW, did they ever help!! My energy levels were amazing! A lot of times, 'the blues' are a result of lack of energy, and with winter days being so short and cold, we're naturally not as active as we were during the spring and summer months. So subsequently, our bodies feel it is time to wind down, and we emotionally start to lag behind as a result. I strongly suggest to try Juice Plus. You can find it at Sam's Club, and it is relatively inexpensive. :) If you decide to try it, please let me know how you like it! :) xoxo

 

[olaja]

I went slightly mad when we changed the clocks this year. I hung up strings of lights everywhere. People think I am celebrating Christmas early. LOL.

 

[amethist]

You could try having a lamp with a daylight bulb in it.

You can get them from good craft shops, as they are used for those who do tapestries and such at night, or in bad light.

I am not saying this will alleviate all the problem, but the light is as close to daylight as you can get.

 

[AngelaMarie]

I make sure lights are on in the house when I feel down. It does help my body to realize what time it is.
I cook more to keep myself busy. Even though I do worry about the calories!;)
I am spending time on the forum so I don't feel isolated.
Winters are super hard for me. I came from Calfornia where it was good weather basically all year and moved to Holland where it's cold, rainy, windy. It's hard. I always fall into a depression. This year I am trying to take it one step at a time. Sometimes one moment at a time. Everyday I get through makes it a little closer to good weather. Fingers crossed!

 

[amethist]

You dont have long to wait for the days to be getting longer in the northern hemisphere, as the winter solstice is around the 21st of Dec.

So only 12 days to go.

 

[Lionheart]

light a few candles and fire up some incense,
heat up the oven and bake some brownies,
turn on a little music and sing a long
take a nice hot bath, dry off, then wrap up in a big warm blanket....perhaps take a nap
have a bowl of soup, read a book or rent a good movie, pop some popcorn
draw, paint, create,
forum, facebook, network with friends
write a letter, make a phone call, visit an old friend...

 

[The Albatross]

Embrace it.
I scent the house with citrus and clove.
I keep mulled apple cider and hot chocolate on hand.
I bring out my favorite comforters, and quilt... and put flannel sheets on my bed.
I feed the winter time birds.
I put a chair on the back porch in the sunshine where our house blocks the north wind and it's warmer ... and sit out there for 10 min - a half hour when weather permits.
I play seasonal music and try to focus on "the reason for the season".
It is easier this year than last year.

 

[Truckinjoan]

That sounds nice Albatross. Used to do that 2 when I lived in Chicago where it was super cold some months. My partner was the fuzzy slipper and mulled cider type and it made the season nice. I love the smell when the cider is mulling in the pot and you have the sunday times, so cozy.
Also, wear warm clothes! Lond underwear, gloves, facemask makes the wind hurt less!

 

[The Albatross]

I forgot my rice bag... I love my rice bags.
I hate getting into a cold bed. And when I was little my grandmother used to heat up a brick in the oven and put it at the foot of our bed wrapped in fleece. She would turn down our beds and do that before bedtime.

Now, we've got microwaves... so I have made rice bags. I heat them in the microwave for 3 - 3 1/2 minutes, and put them in the bed like she used to do for me. I use them in the evenings when my feet are cold too. And they are handy to have around because you can use them for a hot pack.