Depressed in MN (Minneapolis, New Ulm, Wells: unemployment, store, garage)

[Min-Chi-Cbus]

Originally Posted by StilltheSame

Sammy - if you have the luxury of waiting a full year I would suggest:
plan a winter getaway late January/early Feb - even if its for a weekend; go see a doctor and get Vitamin D prescribed; try to hang in for one full winter - there arent 4 more months ahead - only about 10 weeks - in that time get some rest, do some writing - find something you need to do but just have been putting off - after the first full year in all seasons - then decide.

Vitamin D is available over the counter. The sun provides this naturally and it promotes strong and healthy bone growth.

[sammy332]

Originally Posted by 1stpontiac

Hard for anyone here to tell you what to do. Depends on your $$ situation and if you have anywhere else to go to more than anything.

One thing that is for sure: sitting and dwelling about how you wish you were somewhere else won't help make any number of months go faster. Make up your mind and then do your best to get out and enjoy the things that you DO like.



Somewhat off topic (but related, still): One thing about MN cold is that if you can get used to it, there are some nice benefits. Those sunny days after it snows are some of the most beautiful sights I've seen, anywhere, with bright blue skys and sparkling white snow broken up by stands of thick evergreens. Maybe that's because I'm a native Minnesotan and have a warped view of beautiful, though.

Thanks, great advice. Agree there is some beauty in snow that u can't find anywhere else (I love biking in the quiet snow, closest thing to paradise...if it weren't so cold!)

Decided to stick around, already told my landlord. But not so sure after the lease ends....thanks for all the help!

[demtion35]

I dont think Minnesota is that high up on the list, plus it says binge drinkers

[StilltheSame]

Originally Posted by Min-Chi-Cbus

Vitamin D is available over the counter. The sun provides this naturally and it promotes strong and healthy bone growth.

All true - but coming from Florida I never had a vitamin D deficiency until my first winter here - upon reviewing my bloodwork my physician prescribed vitamin D (which I take only in the winter) and advised that it was important because among other things low D levels lead to depression.

[1stpontiac]

Advantage of a prescription is likely that insurance picks up more of the bill...

[demtion35]

Originally Posted by StilltheSame

All true - but coming from Florida I never had a vitamin D deficiency until my first winter here - upon reviewing my bloodwork my physician prescribed vitamin D (which I take only in the summer) and advised that it was important because among other things low D levels lead to depression.

Yes and plus dosent whole milk have more vitamin D fortified than 1% so whole milk has more fat in it and we need fat in the diet to help absorb vitamin D.

Vitamin D also helps absorb calcium, and being in the northern hemishpere tend to get less of the vitamin D from the sun in the winter months
as StilltheSame mentioned^ so vitamins are good

[rcsteiner]

Originally Posted by demtion35

I dont think Minnesota is that high up on the list, plus it says binge drinkers

Very true. This might be a more applicable list:

Moderator cut: link removed, linking to competitor sites is not allowed

[sammy332]

Originally Posted by rcsteiner

Very true. This might be a more applicable list:
Moderator cut: link removed, linking to competitor sites is not allowed

not fair for Wisconsin--their culture and their economy rests on beer. They are the king of beers. Anyone been to MKE? it smells like beer there. MMM...Go to wauwatosa to visit MIller!

[sarahrose]

If you can swing a weeks vacation to a sunny state in the winter I find it helps the long season go much quicker...I try to go somewhere twice during the winter...but I realize financially this may not apply to everyone. I agree with the vitamin D...it really can get depleated here in MN. Also...have you visited the Como Park Conservatory?? it has lots of tropical plants and is very beautiful and warm...like a little jungle in the middle of the city....helps cheer me up!!

[sammy332]

Originally Posted by sarahrose

If you can swing a weeks vacation to a sunny state in the winter I find it helps the long season go much quicker...I try to go somewhere twice during the winter...but I realize financially this may not apply to everyone. I agree with the vitamin D...it really can get depleated here in MN. Also...have you visited the Como Park Conservatory?? it has lots of tropical plants and is very beautiful and warm...like a little jungle in the middle of the city....helps cheer me up!!

great idea. Didn't realize that about Como. Also seen people skiing there, want to try that.