Low in january

My worst time is October to December 21 - the shortest day. My mood then picks up enormously until February, when I go down again. It always seems such a long time between Christmas and Easter, regardless of the actual date. I've been taking Vit D tablets for a couple of years and they have helped but ... the only thing that really helps is sunshine, the warmer the better.

If, like me, you can't afford a prolonged trip to sunny Spain, try looking at an outing to the bulb fields. Masses and masses of yellow daffodils are a sight worth seeing and definitely something to look forward to. Otherwise hang on in there, better days are coming and you are not alone

Interesting reading these posts, I feel like that this time of year, every year. Planning little tasks etc just does not do anything for me.
I also want to go off somewhere for February but up to now have never plucked up the courage to go away on my own for a month.

My family have been staying with me for the New Year break. They go to the in-laws for Xmas. Two lots have just departed for Herts and Derbyshire so feeling a bit low myself today. Already miss the kids charging about.
So in one way pleased to know I am not alone. It usually takes a little while to adjust again.
However back to normal tomorrow with Craft Club but the idea of a holiday sounds good.

I agree with a lot of this, had a long walk in the country this morning enjoying the sunshine. Large dose of vit D helps a bit but I do think some of it is also post Xmas. We're off to Cuba for 2 weeks next week and I'm not really looking forward to it (not a hot weather person, get very swollen hands and feet) which I know must sound very ungrateful to some of you but need to paint on a smile and hope for the best! Hope you all feel brighter soon!

Rain yesterday so just had a lazy day with Sunday papers. Today so different, sun is out, it's a bit chilly but I've just spend an hour in the garden pruning a couple of conifers, Garden re-cycling bin almost full & out ready for emptying tomorrow. I may go back out & do a bit more tidying up (lucky to have concrete paths I can work from).

I love sunny, cold days & either go out for a walk or get in the car & drive to some-where nice & a short walk.

I love spending January planning any decorating for house or proposed purchases researched. Garden planning as mine's still a work in progress - love to sit indoors & do that so I don't waste nice weather.

I also try & have a clear out after Christmas, items for Charity, throw out stuff I no longer need. Plan ahead for this year, at least one visit to my DM (she is 88 in Feb) who is still in Yorkshire, I'm in Devon. 2nd DGC due in May. Visits to friends in UK. I just try to stay positive, bulbs are already pushing through the soil, hoping for Snowdrops soon, my 1st sign of Spring

I don't normally feel low in January but this year Im right fed up! Ive been in bed for over two weeks with a viral infection ( which has given me a relapse of my M.E.) and not seen a soul! This morning the sun was shining so I wrapped up and went for a short walk, felt knackered when I got back but it was worth it.

Here it rained on 1st but it's sunny today - That's what you need sunshine as often as you can. You may have SAD Seasonal something or other

SussexGirl60 - I have a tendency towards winter blues and can appreciate what you are going through. Check through the threads and you will find that everyone has ideas to combat it. Don't fight those feelings but try to do some of the above to help you through. Once I accepted that I was going to feel low the pressure went and today is a good day, but the sun is shining. I'm sure, like others, that S.A.D is responsible.Best wishes

New year, new start.
I declutter and start a deeper clean.
Organise my calender. Just birthdays - make a list of cards I need for the year. Bin days and what bins. Things the family are upto.
Always have some reading and craft on the go.

Ah yes ,feel the same. Really miss being out in garden or on allotment. One year joined David Lloyd for 3 months which was brilliant but cannot afford it this year. Am booked up to do a sewing class which will be good. But feel like this every year and feel guilty about it too. Will try the vitamin D.

Sussexgirl60
Do you not think that your feelings may be connected to the feelings many get following xmas. Such an anti climax from the preparation and celebration then its all over for another year
Have you ever thought of having a January or February holiday in the sun ? In other words something to look forward to and get you through the dreary winter days until spring.?.
Myself and late DH did this for many years and I can recommend it.Even if you have no one to go with you can have a singles getaway? Nothing ventured nothing gained ?

Hi and Happy New Year to everyone. Thanks for posting suggestions as to how to avoid the January blues. I ve always suffered from this as long as I can remember and believe I have S.A.D. I do have a light box and it does help. Also someone suggested setting small but achievable targets for each day , such as having a clear out of possessions for the Charity Shop then you are helping others and not so focused on yourself which is half the problem . It does help to share how I feel and see others feel the same.

Yes I feel the same. One thing that seems to help a bit is Vit D 25mg / day which my doctor suggested - especially for those of us without enough sun in iwnter. Also helps to have treats to look forward to, including holiday plans.

Every February for years I've suffered from the most horrendous wanderlust. Haven't had a proper holday since my teens when I used to stay with family friends in Germany and France, and now because of DH's health issues, can't easily get away. Keep promising myself a break in the sun, but tbh, can't see it happening.

You describe classical SAD Seasonal Affective Disorder, where you are missing the light from the longer days and especially sunshine

Eat lots of oily fish like salmon, to increase your Omega-3
Go for a brisk walk in the daylight hours
Try large doses of Vitamin D
www.vitamindwiki.com/Seasonal+Affective+Disorder+treatments+include+vitamin+D+–+review+Dec+2015

I combat or by having a light box but more importantly having a holI day in the sun to look forward to..especially in Jan/Feb

Yes that's me to a tee. For me it's definitely to do with light. I know this because on cold crisp frosty/ snowy days I pick up considerably. A prolonged Spanish holiday sounds just the ticket * Grannyknot* if only. Oh for

I do a really good clear out (started yesterday-2bags of clothes for Oxfam)and de -clutter .Go through all my filing and shred anything not needed. Garden if dry enough .Spring clean .
But I agree getting away to somewhere sunny would help.Best Feb I ever had was I NZ. In lieu of that, I arrange lots of lunches /coffee/cinema trips with friends and try and go to theatre at least once .And try and book at least one holiday so we have something to look forward to
I don't really suffer from SAD but DH does though he found light box doesn't help
I find as I get older I'm trying not to wish away the months but find pleasure in what they offer .My younger brother died earlier this year .It has made me carpe diem

Yes, I always feel at my lowest ebb during Jan/Feb. I put it down to a natural reaction to the chaos of Christmas preparations. When I drove about more I nearly always had a careless accident during these early months of the year. Try to get as much rest as possible, take some supplements if you think they will help, and plan some treats for yourself. As others have said, getting outdoors will help, and look for those new spring bulb shoots appearing - that always gives me a lift.

sussexgirl I had that restless feeling too post-Christmas for years, and one year I went off on my own for the whole of February (I rented a 2 bedroomed apartment in Spain, cost 500 euro for the month). I loved it, loved being on my own, my husband was working but flew out twice for extended weekends and my daughter came for a few days. It was wonderful and since then I have the knowledge that I can do it, but haven't felt the need again, so far.

It wasn't the warmth I was after, it was light. And Southern Spain gave me that.

So my advice is, just do it. If possible of course.

I feel the same Susexgirl60
From December to February I just feel all the feelings you have.
Just want to pack my bags and disappear and every year it gets worse. This year I'm planning a trip to Oz to visit my son and yes I'm going in December so it will be interesting to see if I still feel the end of year blues

Suffer regularly in January - set myself little tasks to do which I tell myself I need to do so when spring comes I can do my hobby of gardening. I make a tick list daily but try to get the tasks on it done by the end of the week! Exercise helps lift the mood even if it's just a brisk walk - look at everything around me as I do so. I've even taken a trip to Tescos when everything seemed dull and brown - the lights and colours helped immensely! I try to eat healthy foods, not sugary ones which though comforting, make me feel heavy. At the end of each day tick off the tasks done, add any that were extra to these, no matter how small, and move the undone ones to the next day!

Plan little treats. My daughter always makes sure she has some theatre trips booked as she gets very down in January and needs something to look forward to.

I'm lucky enough to be able to swim every morning though I've only being doing this regularly since the summer when I found out that I had one leg shorter than the other which was causing me incredible back pain. Since I've had a built up shoe and have been swimming and attending Pilates classes the exercises of which are adapted to my needs I can honestly say I've felt so very much better. It will take about a year before I can walk properly again but I'm sleeping better and feel good - if a little harassed sometimes!!! I've never really enjoyed exercise and the winter weather really put me off venturing out but now I've found what really suits me I shall do my best to keep at it - New Year Resolution!!!!

Have a look at the surviving January thread lots of inspirational messages and thoughts on there.