Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Cope? I look forward to this time of year. I hate that blazing thing in the sky in the summer.
I'm in the pacific northwest now and this is also the greenest time of year. I do wonder if I'll miss snow. Though I have the option to go visit it whenever I want in the mountains.
These things all release endorphins and make you happier and healthier. Drinking is kind of the opposite -- easy to do, but has a depressive effect.
If you have a lot of snow, get snowshoes and cross country skis, and go out every weekend. The aerobic, cardiovascular benefits are terrific; you lose weight, your brain gets oxygenated, and your body gets acclimated to the weather.
After a vigorous afternoon of snowshoeing or cross country skiing, I have to strip off my jacket even in sub zero temps, and I just don't feel cold anymore. And oh, that cup of hot chocolate at the end!
Makes the winter go by faster, and you find yourself looking forward to the cold. I think part of our problem in modern society is that we're too warm and comfortable in the winter weather, and so few of us go out for a bracing walk in the morning as some of the 80-year-olds around here still do.
I have a box light I used to use when I lived in NY. You can now buy the bulbs for those at Walmart. I paid about $100 for it 20 years ago. Can't say it helped much, but it didn't hurt.
I cut myself a LOT of slack in the winter. Do not plan any projects for January. Nothing more taxing than laundry. Plan to read a lot of books and watch TV. Going to florida would have helped.
Join the gym and go at least 3x per week.
My best coping tip? Move from NY to NC. I am MUCH happier here in the winters.
I cope with the dark winter months by embracing the darkness. I love it when it's snowing. I don't care how many inches or feet have fallen. It brings me lots of joy!
I pulled out the happy light. I recommend but start slow... like 5 minutes per day. It can have an effect of over-stimulating the brain and causing insomnia an even triggering some manic energy. It seems to have triggered my shopping addiction again! I survive by weather watching, tuning into nature and loving a good blizzard (can.t wait!)
Having a dog helped me tremendously - she loved the snow.
T.V., baking, Vitamin D, and just going with the flow. Can.t beat it so might as well join it. Taking a nite class helps, but prior to January when it gets too bad out to commit to it. Let it snow.
Great comments guys... yes it is pretty bad. Because I sleep in late, most of my days are now spent in darkness. That is to say that it is dark outside at least half (if I get up early enough) of my day. No I am not a complete bum. I am a CC student who commutes; 2 of my 4 classes are online, so I only go to class twice a week (both only meet once a week). I also have two shifts of work Sunday and Tuesday and both are later in the day. It is hard to cope with the constant darkness and I am certain it affects my mood/psychological health. I really don't mind the cold that much, as it isn't even that cold yet; its just the short days that bum me out. I find myself getting sleepy when it gets dark, and since it is dark half the day, I am sleepy all day! I drink allot of coffee/espresso beverages and I really feel like a burn out being this tired for no reason.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
