Winter Dip Encouragement

[Upside Down Eagle]

Hey there.

Well, winter has come. At least here it has and I imagine a bunch of other places where people from this forum live.

Winter can be a pain with those who have tendencies going towards depression and anxiety, because of its darkness. You get less light, less exercise, and can become more grumpy and more indoorsy -all things which are fatal for PTSD improvement.

There are at least a few things which the winter blues ptsd doesn't like, one of them is discipline. Make the most of the light, so wake up early, if you can. Spend less time in front of the monitor and more outside. Spend less time on the couch and more time exercising.

I was wondering if you guys would like to participate and encourage each other on here. We can come here to say we're slugging, not going outside that much, not exercising. And then others can suggest things to do, or you can suggest it yourself and report back. Try to get ourselves out of that comfort zone without crossing our own boundaries.

I'll go first -I've been experiencing a lot of negative thinking these days (ugh, it's so dark, ugh, the light doesn't work, ugh, I hate this, I dislike that, etc). I would like to keep an eye on that. I did a bit of yoga from the doyogawithme.com site today, and intend to wake up early tomorrow.

 

[Lost214]

I will participate. I've been starting the negative thoughts myself and I know that won't help me.

 

[sun seeker]

Great idea, count me in. How do you suggest we proceed?

I know my depression gets worse in winter not necessarily due to lack of light but because being in nature is one of the few things that really feel good to me. That includes gardening. Take away the chance to get my hands in the dirt and I'm not a happy camper.

One thing I used to like to do is nature photography, and that can get me out in the woods in any kind of weather. My digital camera has a glitch and I haven't used it in ages. Fixing it might be a good goal.

 

[digger]

With the clocks going back last weekend, sunset here is getting close to 4:30pm now - I hate that it's so dark, so early. I am trying to make the effort to get up earlier and to get outside in the mornings....It is an effort though already and it'll get worse before it gets better, so I'm trying to be strict with myself about it. By the solstice we will have less than seven and half daylight hours - need to make them count!

 

[Upside Down Eagle]

@sun seeker well you already came up with an idea yourself :) I think fixing the camera and then taking it outside once in a while (maybe you could set an idea, like once a week) is a great idea. Do you know how to fix it?

@digger Yeah sunset is 4:30pm here as well but let's not let it ruin our day... yay for getting up early :P I will think of you tomorrow morning and keep my fingers crossed you'll be up and about too.

I will try to report back to you about the negative thinking. It's so easy... so tempting... but it makes me look like this total stormcrow with the eternal frown. Maybe @Lost214 and I can try to catch our negative thoughts in the act and change them...

 

[Seagreen]

We’re in the final throws of the cold season here in australia. I must admit im relieved that summer is just around the corner. All the best to those of you who are at the begining of winter. Some of my favourite winter activities are going to the beach on a stormy day so long as its safe to do so and wearing warm clothes. There is a beachside cafe near my home and they make great hot chocolate lol. Staying in bed and reading, cooking, keeping busy reorganising things at home or rearranging the furniture. Planning something usually helps too like a trip away in the summer to look forward to. Just remember somewhere the sun is shining.

 

[phoenix712]

I think this is a great idea. Winter is always one of the harder times for me, and I've been feeling good about staying positive as the sun sets earlier and earlier the past weeks...but I know we have a loonnnggg ways to go. So count me in :)

 

[Upside Down Eagle]

Ok. I'm packing my bags and coming to Australia immediately :P I like the idea of the beach. We have a riverside here with a sort of beach, so I'll be trying that out soon. Maybe I'll even post some pictures.

My first day of good intentions is off to a good start, I got up on time and did some sun salutations with the yoga site.

 

[Britt.f7]

Being afraid to leave my house even in the summer, my routine in the winter is the same. Unfortunately. I hate the bitter cold we get. Winter is usually a downer for me, so I will try hardest to keep my spirits up. Especially since my therapist will be gone on maternity leave.

 

[Deleted member 12723]

Great thread, count me in. Daylight savings ends on the second of November here where I live.

I have a difficult time with winter as well. I take vitamin D and I use daylight bulbs in the lamps and that seems to help out so much.

Not living in the mountains anymore keeps me from snow shoveling and rake leaves.

I hate to drive in the rain. There are quite a few people who continue to drive very fast on the freeways here when it is raining.

I plan to get a job so mabe that will help.

 

[Anrish]

Count me in, too. :-)

I don't have problem with the dark season and the winter myself - but I would also like to cheer for you and help.

I like the darkness. I always get headaches from too much sun and even migraine. I prefer the dark season, the softer lights. The only negative part is that I need snow chains in winter to get to work - but that became routine over the years. :p

Winter has something refreshing for me. The cold makes the air taste fresher and clearer - and it calms my mind. It's like a time when I can take a break and breathe in deeply before I move on. I even go outside for a run with -15°C degrees (my best friend forbid me to go out for a run when it's colder...). I love to watch the animals in my area in the woods, their footprints in the snow. It's a peaceful time for me. :sleep:

And I also love the snow. It's covering the ugly parts and I always think that some things might change under their cold blanket. And it's best to sit on my windowsill with a cup of hot chocolate and watch the snow fall.

The darkness also means safety to me. I prefer it over the light. It's much easier to hide. I don't fear it - it's something protecting for me.

 

[digger]

And I also love the snow. It's covering the ugly parts and I always think that some things might change under their cold blanket. And it's best to sit on my windowsill with a cup of hot chocolate and watch the snow fall.

That kind of Winter I can appreciate. I love the snow too and how quiet it makes the world. And the light you get with it.
Unfortunately, most of our winter is not like that. It is just cold and grey and damp which is not so good for lifting the spirits!