Winter Blues - do you feel down on the cold dark days of winter?
By recycledgoth
@recycledgoth (9894)
December 6, 2007 6:17am CST
This morning dawned dark and bleak. No sunshine, only dark clouds, no glimmer of daylight pierced the gloom. It is now just gone midday here in the UK and still the skies are dark and I have the lights on in the house just so I can see the keyboard as I type. Right now I feel very low, tired and lethargic, I have no energy and feel completely apathetic. I know I should be doing some housework, doing the shopping, getting on with all the day to day things but the feeling of complete gloom just won't lift.
I should be getting things ready for the festive season but I just don't feel all that festive right now. Dark days bring me down, and looking out of the window all I can see is heavy black cloud and damp concrete. The garden looks bare and bleak, even the squirrels are no where in sight and Moomin is huddled up on my bed asleep, certainly not his usual boisterous self.
I could really do with some sunshine right now, how about you guys. Do you feel low and depressed when the winter months are dark and cold?
9 people like this
21 responses
@makatas (1098)
• Greece
6 Dec 07
I dont feel depressed when its winter and sky is dark.Actually i like it very much, cause it is a change in our usual weather.Living in Greece, we have so much sun and warm weather, that i usually miss the cold days and nights of winter.I feel good to stay in the house and watch the darkness outside or maybe if theres rain, then i am double happy!Of course i have heard of people who get depressed or feel low and sad when weather is bad.
4 people like this
@ElicBxn (63594)
• United States
6 Dec 07
happily, in Texas the extended dark gloomy days are few & far between... I do remember getting really depressed when we had a week or so of gray, overcast, nearly foggy conditions, but 15 minutes after the sun came out I felt better
I do need full spectum light, just not HOURS of it like some people.
3 people like this
@recycledgoth (9894)
•
6 Dec 07
And I thought it was just me hun, this dull weather is really dragging me down, I could sure do with a little bit of sunshine to pick me up
2 people like this
@raphael_volts (1131)
• India
6 Dec 07
Actually, I don't have any disliking, for any particular season at all. I only dislike the feeling wen I get sick while those seasons. Like in winter I enjoy everything, even the mist and the fog, also the chill and all the darkness and silence. I like to roam around with my friends, having boiled or having a cup of coffee and someone's place. Spending the whole night playing video games or sleeping in the warmth of my soft soft quilt till the day breaks out hard.
I really like all the seasons but I don't like the time when I fall sick, like in winters when I catch cold or like in summers when I get heat strokes. I love all the seasons as there is none in which I haven't enjoyed.
Any ways
Take Care
May GOD Bless YOU
@whyaskq (7523)
• Singapore
6 Dec 07
Here where I am, I do not experience the 4 seasons, especially winter. I do not know why but I especially like winter when I was overseas in countries having winter. It was chilly and cold, nothing like the air-con no matter how low I set the temperature to. As for feeling low and depressed, it happen even to me when I was feeling alone and lonely even though the sun was shining brightly.
3 people like this
@recycledgoth (9894)
•
6 Dec 07
Thanks hun. I think I am missing the sunshine at the moment, everything seems to be so dull and gloomy here
2 people like this
@palonghorn (5479)
• United States
6 Dec 07
Weather has never been something that depressed me, I guess I just have a different outlook. I see cold blustery days as a day to get inside stuff done, either cleaning, or working on my scrapbooking. The table that I do my scrapbooking at is actually the dining room table, and it's beside two windows, I love sitting there doing scrapbooking and being able to look out and watch the snowfall (or rain). I have noticed that when it is cloudy and dark, I have more lights on inside, maybe that helps in someway. Not really sure, other than the weather has never really depressed me.
3 people like this
@fortunebee (509)
• Philippines
6 Dec 07
As I would remember it back in Japan, YES! What we'd do at home just like my Japanese friends, we'd stay in the house and watch a lot of TV. We grill rice cakes called 'omochi' on top of the heaters. We'd slip ourselves inside the 'kotatsu' a table with a heater inside covered with a comforter. We basically sit around and feel like not doing anything because of the cold, PLUS the glumness outside. It did make me feel depressed when it's gloomy. How about have a hot chocolate so you will be energized with the sweetness? Hope you're better now!
3 people like this
@recycledgoth (9894)
•
7 Dec 07
I like watching the snow Gabs, it's just the heavy feel of the dark skies that gets me down at the moment. I am thinking of investing in a couple of daylight bulbs for my lamps, but at least there is a glimmer of light outside this morning.
@Celanith (2327)
• United States
6 Dec 07
I am not a great fan of winter and the darker months, I hate the cold and ice and dangerous footing and roads. I try and get a lot of light into the house in winter. Open window blinds and use florescent lighting both help. Also putting up cheerful holiday decor helps. Red however has a tendancy to make you more tired and or hungery. Blues, Whites and Silver are peaceful and uplifting.
Buy some flowers and put in a vase at least once a week or other blooming plants. Poinesttas come in other colors besides red now but a little red for trim is fine.
Eat veggies and fruits they will perk you up too. Seasonal depression can get you down if you let it or you can fight it and enjoy life. Another thing is if you have other stressors they can make it worse. Play uplifting music, take a hot soak in the tub with favorite scents and drink a hot cup of herbal tea. Meditate and pray and you will feel uplifted. Live life, don't let life rule you.
@TerryZ (22076)
• United States
7 Dec 07
Hi recycledgoth yes I feel like that when the sun is not shining. If there is no sun on these cold winter days forget it I dont feel like doing a thing except coming on mylot!LOL I hope your spirits lift real soon hon. Your not alone. Im sending you some hugs!
2 people like this
@recycledgoth (9894)
•
7 Dec 07
Thanks for the hugs hun, much appreciated. We have had a tiny glimmer of light this morning, not a lot but even a glipse of sunshine is enough to cheer me up. Hopefully the clouds will lift for the weekend :-)
1 person likes this
@whiteheather39 (24403)
• United States
6 Dec 07
As I live in Georgia and 90% of our days are bright and sunny I welcome the days when it is dark and gloomy. I can then enjoy making my home warm and comforting. This morning it is a chilly 49 degrees, which just love, and the sun is shining without a cloud in the sky...again. We need dark rainy clouds here as we are in a really dry year.
3 people like this
@Melody1 (967)
• India
6 Dec 07
Hey friend just cheer up.Just break the viscious cycle.I know what you are feeling right now.Extremely cold and dark days rake up some spinechilling moments of my life too and its memory tries popping up again during the same season.
I would suggest you to watch a sunny-funny movie,go out to shop wearing your charming smile and enjoy the smiles you get in return.Trying to add some smiles and cheer on others works like therapy.You might feel like Santa in the bargain and its worth it.You'll find your gloom vanish in thin air.:-)
Bells will jingle,stars will twinkle,
With fun and frolic,recycledgoth will mingle,
Adorning smiles and cheer is the reason,
To celebrate this festive season.
Merry Christmas!!
@williamjisir (22819)
• China
9 Dec 07
Hello dear recycledgoth. I have also had the same experience that you have had. Sometimes when it is very cloudy with the sky very dark, I would have no mood to do anything that needs to be done, but just want to stay home without going to work in the office. Dark days make me feel in low spirits. Thanks for sharing this topic with us, dear friend. Take care.
1 person likes this
@recycledgoth (9894)
•
17 Dec 07
I have been told that quite a lot of people feel low in the cold dark days of winter, hun. Apparently you can get special light bulbs that simulate daylight and they are supposed to make you feel better. I might check these out :-)
@TyNSethsMom (136)
• United States
6 Dec 07
I love watching the snow from my warm house. It is snowing right now and it is very pretty!! But I guess I like it because I dont have to leave the house.
3 people like this
@RAANARON (194)
• India
7 Dec 07
not actually....cold...hot....rainfalll doesn't matter....i have to work hard though the seasons changes..winter is not blue...rather we can say aout winter...that it is whitish...the color of ice...the dreams under blanket is comfortable much in such a days...but we don't have to forget about the daily routine and to perform well in our professinal field...........................................................
@villageanne (8553)
• United States
8 Dec 07
It is harder to get energized when the days are so dreary in winter. I try hard to not get so depressed but yes, I do feel icky this time of year. I hate winter for so many reasons. I hate the cold and the bad roads, the power outages and so many other reasons.
1 person likes this
@sarahruthbeth22 (43143)
• United States
9 Dec 07
No I don't get the winter blues. I guess I am too busy watching American Football and hockey. I like gray days because I can stay inside and watch movies.Besides I like rainy days.
1 person likes this
@altari (23)
• United States
8 Dec 07
I hear you. I tend to hibernate in the winter. I believe it's called seasonal affectedness disorder, or something strange. Winter == sad for many people. The cold naturally makes you more tired and your body has to use more fuel to keep going.
I have an especially hard time during winter due to some long standing family problems revolving around Christmas. My MIL HATES the holiday, so feels the need to make everyone else's Christmas suck. I get dread induced depression just thinking about seeing her.
1 person likes this
@scarlet_woman (23463)
• United States
6 Jan 08
except for the cold (which is depressing to me)-
i seem to be the reverse.i have more energy when it's darker out.i think it may be because i'm photosensitive,and bright sunlight hurts my eyes.
i seem to be the exception and not the rule tho-i have many friends who suffer from winter depression.
one has a light box he uses for treatment.must do something,he is a lot more cheerful after a few hours of sitting by it.
1 person likes this
