anyone else coping with SAD?

I too am one of those strange creatures that love the winter. Don't stop my activities just because it gets dark quicker. I loathe the time when it is light early and goes on forever. When the dark rolls in there are a few advantages, don't see the dirty windows, no weeds on the drive and lovely soups to be made. Perhaps you should see GP as there may be a bit more than SAD going on.

So sorry that the winter season affects you so miserbly. It must be awful to feel so drained all the time.
I am OK ..and fortunately don't notice any difference for me.
No idea, but would having a specific task to do each day, over and above usual chores or activities, be any help in distracting you?

I'm an opposite I love the short days and snuggling up in scarves and gloves to go out. The leaves blowing off in the wind and the spectacular autumn colours , casseroles and winter comfort food . Best of all not having to expose my bingo wings and covering my legs with woolly tights , the only downside is not having anything to do in the garden .

I am another SAD sufferer. I get most depressed in January and February when Spring seems so far off and the memories of the previous summer have faded.
I loath the cold and especially the windy rain and sleet! The darkness when you get up and then pitch black coming home from work get me down too.
I haven’t tried a light box,but am considering one.
every year without fail come the winter, I start again to think about moving abroad where the summers are more extended, and the life style more relaxed; especially Italy or France✈️

The changing seasons are all special. Many people who live in other countries where the weather is the same most of the year round envy us. I look forward to every season and can never make up my mind which one I like best. Maybe it helps living in the country and seeing the changing landscape - can't thinks of anything nicer than a bright frosty morning with the grass all sparkling. Must admit am not keen on wind and rain combined - but as us country folk say there is no such thing as bad weather only the wrong clothes!

This is weird when my kids were young the dark nights didn't bother me but as I've gotten older I hate them my motherinlaw used to call them the dark days if winter and even though she didn't go far she hated the winter nights" feel a lit more tired in the last couple if weeks. Still working so that motivates me to get up and get on!

Wishing your lives away. Sad scenario.

Me too, and this year seems worse than ever as I have a lot of stress in my life at the moment.
I just lie in bed in the morning and hibernate yet in the summer I am up and about early.
I have so much to do but no motivation at all.

So sorry for you, but I'm one off the rare people who love the dark nights! Love snuggling down on front of the fire and now I don't have to drive in the dark it's even better!
Hope you feel a bit better soon though...

I find line dancing and gentle swimming work well for me. Always have a bunch of pink carnations. Making Christmas cars always helps. This year have bought a SAD lamp from Lumie but am in hospital having had a Heart attack!!!!!! So have only just begun to use it.

assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/537616/SACN_Vitamin_D_and_Health_report.pdf

ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminD-HealthProfessional/

These may help.

Good luck!

I hate these shorter days and in the next couple of months when you get up in the dark and go to work, and then come home in the dark. I once worked in an office that had no external windows, so the only daylight I saw was if I went outside the building during my lunch hour! I always have fresh flowers in the house in bright colours. Sometimes seems to help.

I didnt know it had a name, thank you. I have started to hate the short days even more this year ( I live in Sweden) and the days are so dark,lights on yesterday at 2pm, just long for after Chrisrmas, when the days gradually start to become longer although not noticeable until January.Trying to think its only another month of getting darker earlier,roll on SPRING, the thought keeps me going.

You are not alone, my friend. I bless each day that the sun shines right now and dread those 'grey' days of winter/late winter/early spring when all I can do is stare down at the earth in the garden for any signs of hope.

I don't cope well with dark miserable days, but my really bad time is January-February when I get really depressed and suffer terribly from wanderlust and always feel the need for a luxury break. Since I've never had the money for any sort of holiday in about 30 years I just have to struggle to manage.

I think we go into a kind of Hibernation during the colder, darker months, but lots of us still push ourselves to do more (to meet the expectations of others, or even ourselves) than, deep down, we really want to do, rather than using the time differently. Christmas coming can also bring up sad memories of those we have lost, so it's not a cheery time for lots of us. As you already are doing all the usual stuff - daily walk, vitamin D, using a lightbox - and it's not working, I'd see my GP and talk it through. It may be that you may need something-else this year?

ive suffered since 1980s Ive tried everything I cannot wait till 21 dec for days to lengthen,it gives me hope hang on in there

I start a course of St John's Wort every autumn and continue it up until spring. It's helped me enormously with winter depression, but you do have to be careful with certain medications you take with it.

Yes, I have suffered for years with SAD, I dread the short days and sometimes feel like I am holding my breath untill spring. It helps me if i go outside in particular if the sun is shining. It's shining here at the moment and I am going out for a walk before I lose the motivation.

I think I feel worse about these dark nights this year as the summer was so spectacular. Just wish it was like that all the time.

Oh yea - have to make the most of the light when we have it and get out there.

Yes, started as soon as the clocks went back, not sure if its physiological or psychological. I've invested in a light box this year, and hoping it will help.

Ziggy62, snap. These last two weeks it has really kicked in. Couldn’t get myself to go to yoga and keep making excuses not to go out. Tonight should be book group but I really don’t want to go. Logically, I know that at my age, I should make the most of what is left but all I want to do is curl up or raid the pantry! I am using the dawn alarm clock and taking my vitamin D. It is going to be a long winter,

I hate these dark months too. It hasn’t been too bed because it’s been mostly bright up till now, but I can feel the shorter days starting to affect me. I know it’s definitely lack of light because years ago I realised that I felt happier when it snowed for a few days. lots of light reflected from the snow. I bought myself a light box and it does help. Your thread has reminded me to get it out..so thank you.

I also wish my life away at this time of year

Gramdma it is possible that you also suffer from SAD. Seasonal Affected Disorder.
Just in a different season