How do you cheer yourself during the wintery/dark months?

[lindrusso]

Sigh, I'm already counting the days until spring......

Actually, I'm ready to cocoon indoors a bit - I've gotten a lot of yardwork done this fall and have enjoyed every minute of our extended warm weather. The inside of the house, however, needs some attention. So, one thing I'll do is try to get as many inside projects done as possible - making our house more inviting and cozier/nicer to be in.

But I just HATE the extended hours of darkness and the unending cold - I'd be happy with a month or two. It was getting dark at 5:15 today - ACK! I crave light and warmth!

So I need to plan ways to cheer myself up until the light returns again. What do you do to cheer yourself? Besides fires, red wine, and baking - I have those covered. ;) :D

[badunnin]

I get outside, even if it's dark and cold and *enjoy* the dark and the crispness in the air. I'm running at 5am now, outside, and will through the winter. I'll often usually go for a walk around the neighbourhood in the evening, come back to a nice cup of tea, curl up with a book and the iPod.... You can't enjoy the light if you don't embrace the darkness as well.

[Robyn1007]

Well, I think my answer is obvious (for those that don't know, check out my photos posted on the photo thread today ;) ). But, in all seriousness, get outside when it's light out, even if it's only the weekend and soak up the daylight. Go for a walk, go sledding, take up snowshoeing or cross-country skiing. The crisp cold air always feels wonderful to me.

[Gumbeaux]

You might suffer from SAD (http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/seasonal-affective-disorder/DS00195). Either buy a light or go on a cruise. :)

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8d/Bright_light_lamp.jpg/300px-Bright_light_lamp.jpg

http://www.salsaandhustle.com/Halloween%202004/Carnival-Cruise-Ship.jpg.w240h144.jpg

[BlueMoose]

I can relate! I hate that it gets dark so early and I don't enjoy the cold and doing things outside in the winter. I also don't like that I can't have the windows open for some fresh air.

It's sounds like you're doing a lot of things right, though to try to stay upbeat. One thing I've done is to decorate my house with lots of color...so I always feel like it's bright and cheery inside.

[lindrusso]

I get outside, even if it's dark and cold and *enjoy* the dark and the crispness in the air.

Interesting. That's one thing I don't like about being out in the country. It's hard to get out after dark because there are no sidewalks and no street lights - when it's dark up here, it's really dark - and unsafe.

I do try to bundle up and get out with Bailey as much as possible. I can tolerate pretty cold temps as long as it's not windy. I absolutely abhor frigid days that are exacerbated by wind - and we get more than our share of wind up here.

You might suffer from SAD (http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/seasonal-affective-disorder/DS00195). Either buy a light or go on a cruise. :)

Yeah, I thought somebody might suggest a vacation. If only! :)

It might be mild SAD. I usually don't notice how bad I feel until the first mild day of spring comes and mood improves. I keep saying I'll look into one of those lights........maybe this will be the year. I could keep it downstairs where I scrapbook - maybe that will entice me to get my scrapbooking done too! ;)

[wallycat]

I know you asked a serious question because this is common for SAD sufferers. I know because I have REVERSE SAD and I wonder how anyone who is sane can love the sun, heat and daylight hours of spring and summer :p ;) ;) . Really, there is a "reverse SAD" condition and I have it. I get mopey and depressed and lethargic and "drained" as soon as spring rolls around...now...I am jumping-out-of-my-skin...HAPPY that the planet is in my favor!!!! COOL and beautiful and crisp and overcast and dark and GORGEOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I know, I know...I'd kill to live in Alaska during their 6 month darkness :o

[cookieee]

Sigh, I'm already counting the days until spring......

Actually, I'm ready to cocoon indoors a bit - I've gotten a lot of yardwork done this fall and have enjoyed every minute of our extended warm weather. The inside of the house, however, needs some attention. So, one thing I'll do is try to get as many inside projects done as possible - making our house more inviting and cozier/nicer to be in.

But I just HATE the extended hours of darkness and the unending cold - I'd be happy with a month or two. It was getting dark at 5:15 today - ACK! I crave light and warmth!

So I need to plan ways to cheer myself up until the light returns again. What do you do to cheer yourself? Besides fires, red wine, and baking - I have those covered. ;) :D

Well, did you notice how many BB's live in Calif. Fl. Tx, Arizona etc? A week or two here, a week or two there and the next thing you know Spring is here.:D

[Cookin4Love]

I know you asked a serious question because this is common for SAD sufferers. I know because I have REVERSE SAD and I wonder how anyone who is sane can love the sun, heat and daylight hours of spring and summer :p ;) ;) . Really, there is a "reverse SAD" condition and I have it. I get mopey and depressed and lethargic and "drained" as soon as spring rolls around...now...I am jumping-out-of-my-skin...HAPPY that the planet is in my favor!!!! COOL and beautiful and crisp and overcast and dark and GORGEOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I know, I know...I'd kill to live in Alaska during their 6 month darkness :o


I'm with you. I'm energized and excited by the earlier darkness and cooler (89 degrees today) temperatures. We have committed to one uphill hike a weekend, and are anxiously awaiting the "real" cold and some rainy days. It might be a long wait. :p I think I would truly love to live in the Pacific Northwest where it is rainy and dark much of the time.

I get seriously depressed in the spring and summer, and anxiously wait for the fall to return. Too bad there is no "light sucker" to put in my house--the antithesis of the SAD light.

[Puppylove]

Speaking of which . . . I deal with it by laying on the beach under a nice warm sun in the heat of the day. I think it was 80-ish here this week! :p

Care to join us out here in sunny SoCal, lindrusso? Time for a disneyland vacation perhaps! :D

[Canice]

.... Really, there is a "reverse SAD" condition and I have it...

Is that a fact, Ana? That it's the same syndrome, different season? Even with our mild weather here, you know how how unhappy I am in the summer months - I thought it was just a personality quirk. :confused:

Sorry, Alysha, no help here. Would entertaining and, as recommended, keeping lots of color in the house help?

[SueK]

Ugh, Alysha, I'm right there with you! It was so depressing making dinner tonight while it was already getting dark! DH leaves tomorrow for 2 weeks overseas, so that, combined with the time change, has made me quite cranky today.....

I try to get outside as much as possible (even though I am not a cold weather person!) just because then I don't feel such cabin fever.

We have also adopted another dog and are getting her tomorrow. :) She is pretty energetic, so I'm hoping we can play outside with her a lot and the fresh air will help both of us!

Take a road trip here some day and we'll hang out at Weg's, go to AT Loft, whatever...... :)

[clairea]

If you think you might have mild SAD, I suggest looking into a dawn/dusk simulator. We havethis (http://www.lighttherapyproducts.com/sun_up.aspx) one, which was used (and proven effective) in a SAD/depression study at the University of Washington. A bit pricey, but we have found it worthwhile. I am so sold on it I actually just bought a second unit for DS's room.

The cruise sounds good too;)

[lindrusso]

Take a road trip here some day and we'll hang out at Weg's, go to AT Loft, whatever...... :)

You know, I keep saying I need to do that. We'll have to figure something out. A bit harder now that I'm working, but we'll have to come up with something. I'll PM you......

Writing this post made me get sad and teary eyed. It was then that I realized that not only do I fear the winter doldrums, but I fear a backslide on my part. I had been in a funk - maybe mildly depressed - since DH lost his job in IN and all that upheaval. I finally feel like I've been coming out of it this fall, so I don't want to backslide this winter.

Fortunately I'll be working until the end of May, so that will definitely help - the routine of working and getting out into the real world on a regular basis has helped quite a bit, so I'm glad I'll have that.

I will also concentrate on a workout routine - that will help with my mood in the short term and if I do enough to get back into shape, for the long term as well. I will go to the Y tomorrow!

And reading - I will get more reading done. I'm in the middle of a very good book right now - the first book that has really grabbed me in a long time.

I just finished tidying the kitchen. I have to make sure to do that every night now that I can't escape to the deck and ignore it. ;) :)

[lindrusso]

I know you asked a serious question because this is common for SAD sufferers. I know because I have REVERSE SAD and I wonder how anyone who is sane can love the sun, heat and daylight hours of spring and summer :p ;) ;)

It's very weird to know how someone feels and yet have no idea how they feel all at the same time. :D ;)

I'm a picky one though - too much heat and any kind of humidity can depress me too. What I need is weather that just makes you want to be outside. I love cool and crisp, just not the freezing, frigid stuff. Too many days of clouds too - ugh.

I'm sure I'd do well in CA, for sure. Not the south though - too humid and too hot in summer.

But sort of back to what Bethany said about the dark - I wonder if I'd appreciate the great weather if I had it all the time. Maybe the winter months make me appreciate the nice weather more than I ever would if I lived in a more moderate climate. But I'd be willing to test that theory....... :)

I was so spoiled this spring and summer - it was great! :)

[SueK]

You know, I keep saying I need to do that. We'll have to figure something out. A bit harder now that I'm working, but we'll have to come up with something. I'll PM you......

I will also concentrate on a workout routine - that will help with my mood in the short term and if I do enough to get back into shape, for the long term as well. I will go to the Y tomorrow!


Just let me know when you want to come down! :)

I agree on the workout thing. I got back into a workout routine in Septermber (for the first time in a **long** time) and then didn't I come down with bronchitis last month.....I'm still coughing, but determined to start up again this week, because I could tell a definite difference in my moods/spirit/energy once I started working out again.

[Robyn1007]

Why don't you take up a new "winter" hobby that you can focus on/. Maybe knitting or something else you've wanted to do. That way you have something where you'll see results.

[jmarie]

I know you asked a serious question because this is common for SAD sufferers. I know because I have REVERSE SAD and I wonder how anyone who is sane can love the sun, heat and daylight hours of spring and summer . Really, there is a "reverse SAD" condition and I have it. I get mopey and depressed and lethargic and "drained" as soon as spring rolls around...now...I am jumping-out-of-my-skin...HAPPY that the planet is in my favor!!!! COOL and beautiful and crisp and overcast and dark and GORGEOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You described me! (Especially when you mentioned heat) It never occurred to me that this might be a condition....I just know that fall and winter are my favorite seasons...I rarely even wear a coat in the winter....when I tell people how I hate late spring and summer, they just roll their eyes....:rolleyes:

Joyce

[Kay Henderson]

When DH and I were teaching in Sacramento (in California's Central Valley), DH was always bothered by the short days and especially fog of winter. When we first heard about SAD, he put "grow lights" into his study and it was very helpful.

Other suggestions:

1. Take advantage of each hour of daylight you can. Unless you are exhausted, why waste an hour of daylight sleeping?

2. I agree about getting out in the sun when possible.

3. I don't know what is available in your area, but have you and your family gotten into the local winter sports?

4. Maintain a list of books you would like to read. You can draw upon this during the short days.

5. I've gotten into "To Do Lists -- [fall, for exampe] Priorities." My fall list includes "need and ought to do" things (like your inside projects), but it also includes (as do all lists each season) fun things. I don't get everything done, but at least it gives me ideas. Here are the "fun things' entries for fall: Colorado fall color trip [done], SF opera season and when possible, do fun things in Bay Area[last opera this week], entertain old friends, update my recipe collection, try out Class B [motorhome]?, walk and bicycle from house; do at least two long walks or hikes, shopping trips to Reno, do some star-gazing and try my hand a photography by moonlight, do some touristy type and new things, e.g. bicycling other areas, Sorenson's.

I realize that, working and with children still at home, you are in a very different period of your life. Nevertheless, can you identify some activities for the upcoming months of darkness that you would enjoy?

Kay

[wallycat]

Is that a fact, Ana? That it's the same syndrome, different season? Even with our mild weather here, you know how how unhappy I am in the summer months - I thought it was just a personality quirk. :confused:


Yes, it really exists :)

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C03E4DA103AF930A2575BC0A9649C8B 63&sec=health

[Terri_A]

Alysha,

I don't know exactly where in PA you are, but the weeone and I will be trekking up there sometime this winter to visit my brother and his family in Lancaster - perhaps you're close enough that we could meet up?

I think that scheduling time with friends, dinner parties, happy hours, etc, is a GREAT way to get through a tough time of year!!!

[testkitchen45]

Well, I'm not bothered by the winter b/c a) it lasts about 5 minutes here, and b) it gives us a break from yard work! But my winter hobbies and interests are similar to people's who hate the winter: lots of "cocooning," scrapbooking, trying out new recipes, cleaning out closets w/o feeling guilty that I'm missing a beautiful day . . . these would all work for you, perhaps, and I know you said you've got some of that down pat already.

(Right now, I'm desperate for our first hard freeze, long nights notwithstanding. One nasty by-product of gorgeous fall days is that we get wasps in the house. I'm scared to death of them, and use my long-handled Riccar vacuum to suck those little ba$tards off the wall or window. The wasps know cool weather's coming, so they seek shelter, and I'm terrified of them. Cold weather, bring it on!)

But since you hate the long darkness, as your OP says, how about checking out the BB's book-related threads, and getting some real reading done this winter? I like Kay's ideas not just about books, but about not wasting any daylight--if you're up at dawn, what a great start to the day!

[Chefzhat]

I'm with ya, Alysha. I HATE HATE HATE the shorter days and dream and scheme to get somewhere warm. :) Sometimes I can pull off a trip, sometimes not.

Here's what I do:
1. I save trips to the store for the evening so I have a "focus" instead of sitting home in the dark.
2. I make sure I'm outside as much as possible on sunny days. In Michigan, those are few and far between sometimes.
3. I go to the tanner. 15 minutes every couple of days gives me the boost of warm/bright light that I crave.
4. I go to the gym in the evenings and swim - pretend its summer.

Debie

[ajowen]

Another suggestion is to try to get outside (even for as short as 15 min) everyday - sunny or not. The UV light penetrates clouds and short bursts of being outside are helpful. Exercise also seems to help and eating well.

Practically I try to do this by eating my lunch in a building far away from where my own is located and/or by going for a short walk (all bundled up) around the building where I work.

I also separately try to get exercise in, even if it's after dark (I walk outside) or if I am housebound because of cold.

I agree - it's rough, especially if it's just enough to get you down, but not enough to make you feel like you need a medical treatment or intervention.

[Deechef]

Boy....can I relate to this. I really dislike the winter months and tend to get down. I usually gain about 10 lbs from lack of excercise and snacking too much. I try to get a list of projects together so I feel like I've accomplished something over the winter months. I like to paint at least one room but by the time I get home from work there isn't enough natural light to see what I'm doing. I think I'll invest in one of those lights professional painters use. If nothing else, it will make to room bright. I too live in the country and it is very dangerous to walk in the evening. However there are other places to walk if I just take the time to get there. I usually plan a trip to Florida to visit friends in February and that is a carrot dangling in front of me to get me through. I can't afford it this year which bums me out. I do love winter cooking and having a fire in the fireplace. I also enjoy the first snowfall - just the first. Time to get the firewood in and compile a list of books to read. There are many movies I want to see and I never seem to get myself to the theater so I think I will go to a matinee by myself every so often.

Good thread!

[ErinM]

For anyone looking for a hobby to take up during those long dark winter months, I recommend knitting. It's a great de-stresser (once you learn what you're doing) and it can easily pass the time!

[MikeC]

I know you asked a serious question because this is common for SAD sufferers. I know because I have REVERSE SAD and I wonder how anyone who is sane can love the sun, heat and daylight hours of spring and summer :p ;) ;) . Really, there is a "reverse SAD" condition and I have it. I get mopey and depressed and lethargic and "drained" as soon as spring rolls around...now...I am jumping-out-of-my-skin...HAPPY that the planet is in my favor!!!! COOL and beautiful and crisp and overcast and dark and GORGEOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I love sunshine, but I love the sunshine of a crisp, sunny autumn or winter day, not the sunshine with the heat and humidity of summer! This summer was miserable, partly because we're keeping the house much warmer due to the increased cost of electricity in our area.

We managed to keep our electricity bill much lower this summer, but......ugh!
:(

[sparrowgrass]

Seed catalogs help me, and garden planning. Bright lights indoors, and I turn them all on as soon as I get up in the morning.

Getting outside as often as I can stand it--I am not a cold weather person, but I do try to spend a few minutes outside every day.

[SusanMac]

I love the change, more than anything. When I lived in CA and TX, it seemed boring that all the months of the year were the same & blended together.

Winter is a real 'shift' mentally & physically. I use winter to catch up on indoor hobbies: scrapbooking, sewing, lots more reading and more cooking. I also make a point at this time of year to catch up with friends, making dinner dates to catch up. I still spend lots of time outdoors, running, hiking & snowshoeing, but enjoy the cocooning part of winter, too.

[DmOrtega]

I know you asked a serious question because this is common for SAD sufferers. I know because I have REVERSE SAD and I wonder how anyone who is sane can love the sun, heat and daylight hours of spring and summer :p ;) ;) . Really, there is a "reverse SAD" condition and I have it. I get mopey and depressed and lethargic and "drained" as soon as spring rolls around...now...I am jumping-out-of-my-skin...HAPPY that the planet is in my favor!!!! COOL and beautiful and crisp and overcast and dark and GORGEOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I know, I know...I'd kill to live in Alaska during their 6 month darkness :o

You sound just like my dd. I am a light loving person, she is a dark and cool loving person. :)

Some things that I like to do is; hang lights, such as the kind below from Ikea (http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/news/range/10371?sorting=newest&pageNumber=2), over my shear curtains from large paper clips. When the lights are on they make me feel really happy. I love the look and have several different style and colors depending on what color of shear curtains that I have up. I miss them during the summer months.

http://www.ikea.com/PIAimages/75805_PE194696_S3.jpg

Also, I like to work on mosaics. I get really inspired to work on art projects during the winter months more so then summer. Reading is good. Also, having a weekly movie night with friends or by myself is always appreciated because I don't normally have time to watch movies. I look for foreign films.

I also play sports year round but I really want to start crosscountry skiing again, so I look forward to winter more when I know that I can do something that I can't do any other time of the year. I will be asking for a headlight for Christmas so I can get out and do my nordic walking after 5pm.

Planting pots of indoor fragrant flowers really help, like paperwhites and narcissus. I love the colors and fragrance.

[pointerhaven]

I hate winter....I am truly a tropical person, born in Bermuda and I think that sets you body for life. I will take two trips, maybe three Jan-March. One to Keywest in Feb, two to undetermined warm places in Jan & March.

I also have a green house, filled with tropicals, so I often go in there and work. As well as my fl room which is also filled with tropicals and has a southern exposure.

[Angelina]

I guess I am one with reverse SAD, as I mostly hate hate hate summer, and now I am in my glory! To me all things that people do to get themselves through winter are exactly the things I most enjoy doing and can not enjoy during the summer.

Embroidery, knitting, crafts...too hot to do in the summer, unless you have the AC blasting on you making you feel sore and cold all over. But then you can't put on something heavier because you'll be hot. :rolleyes:
Baking? Yeah!!! I LOVE baking! But you can't have the oven on in the summer. Not too much at least. Now...just picture a cold, wet, blustery Sunday afternoon, with the smell of baking bread wafting through the house, while you are cuddled up under a blanket with a good book and a cup of tea, or watching old movies on tv. That is my idea of heaven!

To me these are the things I truly enjoy doing exactly because it's cold. My husband nags me because he feels that because I love the cold I should be outside doing stuff in the cold, but the wonderful part of it all is doing all the things INSIDE that you can not do when it's hot.

What is so good about hot humid weather? Most people I know who claim to love summer spend most of it inside in AC houses. How is that so different from winter then? Summer in the city is tough. If outside is 90 degrees and humid, down in the subway stations it's 100 degrees and a true steam bath. Your makeup melts, your clothes are sticking to you like glue, the bums smell worse than ever...

The darkness doesn't bother me. I get home so late from work that winter or summer doesn't make much of a difference. ;)

Angela

[Laura]

I am fortunate to live in an area that has around 300 sunny days a year. We also seem to get breaks in the cold weather. I would find time to be outside; fresh air, sunlight, all seem to break the winter doldrums. I would also bring lights into the home. My sister has lived in Seattle for 30 years and her outlook changed immensely once she bought some lights recommended for SAD.

Finally, make sure you invest in good winter clothing. Once I bought the proper winter boots, hats, gloves, I found I could really enjoy being outside.

[Robyn1007]

I agree with Laura that we are very fortunate that even though it gets cold it is bright and sunny. When I lived in Northern Virginia I was collecting different scarves so that I could have a little fun with winter clothing and bundling up. I still use them here but not nearly as much. If you knit them yourself then there would be an extra amount of satisfaction and you could pick out colors that you love. Add hats to match and you've got a whole new outdoor wardrobe. :D

[tamawrite]

In winter, I shift my focus from one passion (horse training) to another (writing fiction). I still get outside and exercise to maintain the farm and train the lighted round corral, but sessions are shorter and I get more chapters written.

Are there indoor things you've always been interested in, put maybe put off, that you could turn into a real passion?

[mrswaz]

Alysha, I've been rounding up a pile of gardening books to read this winter. I have seed catalogs ordered already, so when those come in, they will be a welcome relief in January. I'm also contemplating picking up some grow lights this year and starting my garden early in the basement to help me make it to spring without a compelte meltdown.

[LakeMartinGal]

I know how those of you with both SAD and Reverse SAD feel!

I always got depressed in the spring, because everything ended -- school, hockey, etc. Once I figured out that several people I loved as a child had also died in the spring, I was better able to come out of it! Don't love the heat and humidity of summer, but now that we've got AC and the lake together, that's not so bad! But fall is my favorite season, because of the colors, and the crisper air, even here in Alabama!

As we moved south, from NY to OH to AL, I just figured out that people in NY area are always in a bad mood because they don't see the sun that often! (No offense meant to NYers -- I was one for 28 years!;) ) I really notice a drain on the mood when it rains for a week straight!;)

[beacooker]

Is that a fact, Ana? That it's the same syndrome, different season? Even with our mild weather here, you know how how unhappy I am in the summer months - I thought it was just a personality quirk. :confused:

These days, there is no such thing as a 'personality quirk', only medical conditions. :rolleyes: :D

[kwormann]

I know you asked a serious question because this is common for SAD sufferers. I know because I have REVERSE SAD and I wonder how anyone who is sane can love the sun, heat and daylight hours of spring and summer :p ;) ;) . Really, there is a "reverse SAD" condition and I have it. I get mopey and depressed and lethargic and "drained" as soon as spring rolls around...now...I am jumping-out-of-my-skin...HAPPY that the planet is in my favor!!!! COOL and beautiful and crisp and overcast and dark and GORGEOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I know, I know...I'd kill to live in Alaska during their 6 month darkness :o
DITTO!!! This is me to a T!!!!!!!

[lindrusso]

3. I don't know what is available in your area, but have you and your family gotten into the local winter sports?


My DH would love it if I did but I'm not a sports person to begin with and throw in the cold and you're hard pressed to get me out there. :)


I don't know exactly where in PA you are, but the weeone and I will be trekking up there sometime this winter to visit my brother and his family in Lancaster - perhaps you're close enough that we could meet up?

I think that scheduling time with friends, dinner parties, happy hours, etc, is a GREAT way to get through a tough time of year!!!

I will PM you. :)

To make myself sound really pitiful, I'll add that we haven't really found anyone yet that we've hit it off with to invite to entertain! I do hope to start meeting people through the college I work for - they have various events. There are a few couples that we'd probably get along with - maybe I'll get up the nerve to have them over.

Seed catalogs help me, and garden planning. Bright lights indoors, and I turn them all on as soon as I get up in the morning.

I am definitely doing some of that. I need to hunt down some heirloom tomatoes to plant next year.


Finally, make sure you invest in good winter clothing. Once I bought the proper winter boots, hats, gloves, I found I could really enjoy being outside.

Good point. I do make sure to really bundle up when I go out. I can't stand feeling cold, so the better I dress, the more I'm able to tolerate being outdoors. It's good that I have Bailey to walk or I'd probably find way too many excuses for not going out at all!

Thanks for the discussion and input everyone.

I do like the coziness and being indoors and not having to do yard work all the time, but it just lasts way too long. By January, I'm so done.

I really, really need to get back into scrapbooking. Unfortunately my scrapbooking area is in the basement and I'm not very motivated to do down there. It's really the only place I could tolerate the mess, though, so I'm going to have to jazz things up down there to get me more motivated - and just suck it up. ;)

And here I sit on the computer instead of being outside or working out - I'm waiting for the stupid people to call about the loveseat my DH drove 90 miles to pick up - it has a flaw and we have to exchange it. GRRRR...... :mad:

[Andrea_2]

I am absolutely with Wallycat and everyone else who prefers the cold or darker days. I CANNOT STAND summer!! I hate it! This is definitely my favorite time of the year, and I am loving how it is so much cooler and how it gets dark earlier. It is so cozy, and good for baking, making a fire, comfy blankets etc. I don't know what is to like about sweating in the heat. Anything over 60 degrees is too hot for me, and I get especially cranky when it gets into the 80's or 90's in late September or October. I've always described myself as having the opposite of SAD, but didn't realize there was an actual name for it, or that I wasn't the only one on earth who despises the heat and summer. :)

[Canice]

Thanks for the link to the article, wallycat - interesting. I'd never known there was a reverse syndrome. I think that in my case it is a personality thing, in large part, given that summers here simply are not hot, and are often overcast. But also, I grew up in a cool climate and am of 100% Irish heritage - not built for hot weather! It makes me physically ill and mentally frazzled. I hate the hot sunny days most, but even when it's cool and grey, I don't like summer, so I think it's a personality thing, too...the social climate changes dramatically, and it doesn't suit this introvert.

Alysha, in addition to lamps for yourself, what about those nifty little indoor herb gardens under a lamp? I would think a little fresh lemon thyme and chervil and chives would be nice on a wintry day?

[donnamp14]

To make me smile in the cold, dark winter here, I splurge almost every week for fresh flowers. We have a produce store near my office and their flowers are not too expensive. Often I also buy them for my desk at work, too. I like bright flowers that have some scent, but it does seem that the prettiest ones have had the scent bred out of them. Then come late winter, I always have daffodils. Alysha, I am in an academic library and everyone loves them at the circ desk.

Last year DH suggested some live plants for the only sunny room in the house, the kitchen, and it did help. I love the look of green against the white snow and gray skies.

As far as SAD goes, that's no joke at all. My MIL had it, and so did DS' girlfriend. A light box helped both. And MIL now winters in Florida. That's a cure for sure!

-Donna

[GingerPow]

Autumn is beautiful to me - the crisp, cool air and clear skies. I love to walk, even do yard work. I'm okay in all months of the year except when we have extended GRAY, whether it's a rainy spring or summer - or just a draggy, gray winter. I really do feel that SAD syndrome then. No energy, and frankly, a bit crankly.

Sometimes we can escape and hop on a quick flight to Florida. When that's not feasible, I turn all the lights on in the house, crank up club music, or '80's music and blast the SAD out of my brain.

Pictures like these help too:

http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w127/PerfectLinus/Deep-Blue-Resort-Beach.jpg

I've created a picture file on my computer of images like this, and I'll just watch it over & over as a slideshow for a good 10 - 15 minutes. It helps.

[lindrusso]

Alysha, in addition to lamps for yourself, what about those nifty little indoor herb gardens under a lamp? I would think a little fresh lemon thyme and chervil and chives would be nice on a wintry day?

I've seen the bigger ones - too big for our space - but do they have smaller version? I'll have to check.

To make me smile in the cold, dark winter here, I splurge almost every week for fresh flowers.

Then come late winter, I always have daffodils. Alysha, I am in an academic library and everyone loves them at the circ desk.

Fresh flowers are a nice idea. I'll have to price them at Wegmans.

When I work at the library, I'm often in the basement in the Archives - no natural light, so I'm sure that won't help! I do get a few hours at the CIRC desk.

Autumn is beautiful to me - the crisp, cool air and clear skies. I love to walk, even do yard work.

I've created a picture file on my computer of images like this, and I'll just watch it over & over as a slideshow for a good 10 - 15 minutes. It helps.

I have really been enjoying autumn and getting lots of yard work done. I've been collecting leaf mulch and stockpiling for my gardens next year.

I like the idea of cranking up the 80s music! The boys and I do that once in a while, but now that they are getting older, I'll probably have to do that by myself so they don't get embarrassed or roll their eyes at me. ;)

As for the pictures - can you guess which Windows wallpaper theme I use??? Yep - Azul - the one with the ocean, the sailboat and the 3 palm trees. :D

[Chris415]

I've been reading this thread daily and taking stock of some of the suggestions. I am a spring and fall kind of gal, not the extremes of the cold of winter and heat of summer. And I know we must have the cold to have the warmth, but that's a hard thing to come to terms with when you drive down the road and the leaves are brown and on the ground instead of lane of bright green.

One of the saddest days in the fall is when I put away my summer clothes and pull out the winter ones. :( I can't stand my winter wardrobe, the heavy sweaters and dark colors. I like my light shirts and skirts, and love wearing pink! One thing I did, though, was I went shopping on Sat., there were tons of great sales and bought some new clothes, so I have something new to look forward to wearing. Last week was depressing to look at the same ole clothes and not wanting to wear any of them. I am a pretty frugal shopper, so I was able to add to my wardrobe without dropping too much moola. :) And today I got up and am wearing a new blouse and a new pair of boots, and feel better about myself. We'll see how I feel about the new clothes come Feb., but in the meantime, it's a nice change of pace.

I got dreadfully depressed late last winter, not sure what it was, but once it started getting dark again here this fall, I worried I would fall into the same rut. Last year, I took up knitting seriously, and right now am finishing up a shawl I started in July for a friend for Christmas. Last winter I was kept occupied with a couple of scarves and I made a baby blanket for my new niece. I found this occupied A LOT of my time, and once summer rolled around, it was hard to find the time to do it, hence why it's taken me months to finish this project! It's also a challenge, trying to figure out how to do this or that. I also plan on catching up on movies and I always have a list of books I'd like to tackle. And continuing to exercise is always a good mood booster.
Chris

[lindrusso]

One of the saddest days in the fall is when I put away my summer clothes and pull out the winter ones. :( I can't stand my winter wardrobe, the heavy sweaters and dark colors.

That's funny because one of the things I DO like about fall and winter is the clothing! :) I like the way I look in structured clothing so much better than the light stuff of summer clothing. But, that would probably be different if I spent more time trying to build a better spring/summer wardrobe.

I do hate having to the deal with the coats and gloves and all that though. I'm kind of like my kids - I'd sneak out the door without a coat except that I hate being cold......... ;)

Oops, here I am on the computer when I should be following the sage advice I've received here and get my butt out the door with the dog. Okay, I'm going, I'm going............ :D

[TKay]

I was going to say, Lindrusso, that I've battled depression off and on for years. To this day, the single most important thing for me remains being consistent with a workout routine. I have to MAKE myself move and not give in to my desire to just be in a funk, sink down into the couch with a blanket and the remote.
I know you're not necessarily battling clinical depression, but even the winter blues can be warded off the same way. I will make myself do something--even if it's just clean out the silverware drawer and wash the holder in the sink. The worst depressions I've ever had were when I stopped exercising. Gotta keep those endorphins crankin', I tell ya!
I hope this winter's a good one for you.

[Kay Henderson]

When I work at the library, I'm often in the basement in the Archives - no natural light, so I'm sure that won't help.

The lack of natural light may be contributing to your depression this time of year. In another life, I worked in a beautiful department store in downtown Sacramento. The only problem was that in the three months surrounding the winter solstice, I did not see daylight unless I went out for lunch. I quickly learned that I needed to do this to maintain my perspective. I would walk to a restaurant or bring my lunch and take it across to Capitol Park and eat on a bench. If the weather did not cooperate, I could not do this, of course. Therefore, it was important to take advantage of days which were reasonably pleasant.

Kay

You've gotten some excellent suggestions. Before you get too depressed, I would advise making a list NOW of activities you want to do this winter (favorites and new) during the dark time of year. I also agree on exercise -- very important in staving off or at least reducing depression.