Coping with the dark Winter days

Those are lovely ideas, Caleo, lights around the place etc.
I shall do that.
I don't relish the long dark evenings alone, but am trying hard to appreciate everything around me now as I'm definitely in the zone of realising that my days must be numbered.
It's surely a bit unkind to call it 'making a fuss'. Some people do seriously get depressed in winter.

Lathyrus
Hope you get to enjoy the bright festivals that only happen in the Autumn and Winter. So many from so many different cultures.

Grandma70s

Strange, isn’t it - I love the dark winter days and I dislike summer! Winter is cosy and comforting to me.

This is me as well….

I been thinking of Lathyrus every time she posts whatever she posts because lathyrus latifolius is one of my favourite plants. I first met an everlasting sweet pea when I was a small child. It was growing unnoticed through a hedge and nobody could tell me what this vivid flower was.

One way to make the dark winter days nice is to have warm pools of light from table lamps with pretty shades, or firelight(artificial if need be). There is no law against coloured glass baubles and fairy lights around the place all winter.

A transparent voile window curtain in orange or gold would make a big difference to a cold looking room.

I was reading recently that we should try to embrace the darkening days by slowing down, relaxing and allowing the season to do its magic of regeneration ready for the spring.

I suppose that’s fine for people without deadlines etc.

But Hygge describes it I think and although I am really a person who craves light, I thought that this year I would try and create a contentment living indoors, but at the same time embracing the outdoors and nature on some days before retreating back into my cosy cave.

I believe people like Monty Don suffer from this lack of light to the extent of experiencing depression which is very difficult I think.

Not making a fuss. I may have lived for 70 years plus, but I still dislike the dark mornings and dark evenings and they definitely make be me feel low for a while

Yes, indeed Witzend the person I had uppermost in mind is in Sweden. He finds the darkness and the cold extremely depressing.

I was in Sweden a few years ago. We went into a department store around 1pm and it was still light. When we came out just over an hour later it was almost fully dark.

Aldom

Well said StripeyGran. I know people in some Scandinavian countries who suffer during the dark days. It's not just people in the UK etc. SAD exists.

It’s even worse (for those who suffer) in the likes of Sweden - even shorter days, and often colder, too. My Swedish friend really dreads the winter months. She lived in Devon for many years and did find it a bit easier there - though it was wetter! But spring did come sooner, and real winter started later than at home.

Yes, I go through this every year.
I have books in the shed about wintering, and a light machine.
I try to see the beauty that is still around in evergreens .
I have annual temptations and one is new boots or a coat but this year it might just be a new scarf.
Best wishes to you all

Yes I have a Beurer light therapy machine. It has 3 strengths the lowest light is called Relax which I often have on whilst reading the paper, next one up is called Active which is brighter and I am now trying that, the brightest is called therapy which is is very bright and I shall start trying that out soon.

Please do not get upset by those people who have been rather critical of those of us with this winter problem. If they experienced what we do, they might be a little more understanding.

Lathyrus thinking of you. 💐

I was about to ask if anyone had tried light therapy so keep us updated please Primrose.

I totally agree Ferry. Since my DH died and the children have left home it's so hard.
I try my best to keep busy. However, the dark dreary nights just go on and on.
All my friends are, luckily still in couples, and really don't understand how hard it is.

I have much more energy in the colder months, Summer saps me.
What I really can’t stand is a lot of rain.

I love the winter and long nights. It's cosy. Crisp sunny winter mornings are a delight. I wrap up well and go for a walk.

My daughter bought a very expensive SAD light gadget. It’s about the size of an Ipad. It was on a church fete stall for £2. I’m going to try it.

Well said StripeyGran. I know people in some Scandinavian countries who suffer during the dark days. It's not just people in the UK etc. SAD exists.

watermeadow

If you’re retired you probably don’t need to get up in the dark or go out in the evenings. You can probably stay in when it’s very wet or cold.
How do you suppose our ancestors managed, without wellies or TV and knowing that they or loved ones would likely die in the winter?
The idea of ‘help to get through it’ is ludicrous.

What an ill informed view. SAD is condition not a choice.
I'm all for resilience but we are allowed to struggle and seek help from others I think?

Dark from mid afternoon, it's just depressing. Autumn can be lovely, on a bright day, the colours are gorgeous, and again a crisp cold sunny day in winter is also lovely, although I hate driving in low winter sun it's way too dazzling. All in all winter, it goes on for so long, at it's worst it's just so gloomy, and snow it might look chocolate box pretty, but it's an absolute hindrance in getting around, worst of all, those interminable grey days. Most of all I long for summer evenings where it doesn't get dark until 10, not the sweltering heat but just living an outdoor life instead of an indoor one. It's no accident that southern Mediterranean countries live happier lives than their northern European counterparts.

I love the Autumn and Winter, I like all the seasons though. I love snow, and although I like it, summer is my least favourite season.
I welcome the dark nights, and mornings, I find them cosy, and even better the festive season to look forward too.

If you’re retired you probably don’t need to get up in the dark or go out in the evenings. You can probably stay in when it’s very wet or cold.
How do you suppose our ancestors managed, without wellies or TV and knowing that they or loved ones would likely die in the winter?
The idea of ‘help to get through it’ is ludicrous.

Lathyrus3

As I’m concious this might be the last Autumn/Winter that I see, I’ve suddenly started to appreciate it and am going to make the most of the uniqueness of what Winter brings😬

It’s amazing how it’s changed the way I feel about it.🤔

Lathyrus I sincerely hope you will have many more.
We do take things in our lives and nature for granted, we should really appreciate things more while we have them.x

Me too, love the winter. Fire lit, curtains drawn, lamps on. Bliss

I find cooking and baking seasonal recipes, having a 'cosy' murder mystery to read and festooning with fairy lights makes Autumn and Winter enjoyable.
Soft/low lighting & tea lights for early mornings and afternoons give a dull day a bit of cosiness and comfort.
Also warming up under a throw rewatching an episode of Autumn Watch after a late afternoon walk is lovely.
Oh and a tot of Baileys
Just try a few little seasonal tweaks to make it 'special' and not 'dreaded'