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How do you beat the winter blues?

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avatar LizziB

LizziB

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Edited on 17/01/2024 at 20:07

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avatar LizziB

LizziB

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Last activity on 02/04/2024 at 00:46

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Hello everyone

How are you doing today?

NHS inform recently posted about seasonal affective disorder (SAD)- here is an excerpt, or you can check out the whole article here.

"It’s thought the winter blues, or seasonal affective disorder (SAD), affects around 2 million people in the UK and more than 12 million people across northern Europe. It can affect people of any age, including children.

1. Keep active- Research has shown that a daily one-hour walk in the middle of the day could be as helpful as light treatment for coping with the winter blues.

2. Get outside- Go outdoors in natural daylight as much as possible, especially at midday and on brighter days. Inside your home, choose pale colours that reflect light from outside, and sit near windows whenever you can.

3. Keep warm- Being cold makes you more depressed. It’s also been shown that staying warm can reduce the winter blues by half. Keep warm with hot drinks and hot food. Wear warm clothes and shoes.

4. Eat healthily- A healthy diet will boost your mood, give you more energy and stop you putting on weight over winter. Balance your craving for carbohydrates, such as pasta and potatoes, with plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables.

5. See the light-Some people find light therapy effective for seasonal depression. One way to get light therapy at home in winter is to sit in front of a light box for up to 2 hours a day.

6. Take up a new hobby- Keeping your mind active with a new interest seems to ward off symptoms of SAD. It could be anything, such as playing bridge, singing, knitting, joining a gym, keeping a journal, or writing a blog. The important thing is that you have something to look forward to and concentrate on.

7. See your friends and family-It’s been shown that socialising is good for your mental health and helps ward off the winter blues. Make an effort to keep in touch with people you care about and accept any invitations you get to social events, even if you only go for a little while.

8. Talk it through- Talking treatments such as counselling, psychotherapy or cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) can help you cope with symptoms. 

9. Join a support group- Seasonal Affective Disorder Association (SADA) is the UK’s only registered charity dedicated to SAD. It costs £20 (£10 for concessions) to join, and you’ll receive an information pack, regular newsletters, discounts on products such as light boxes, and contacts for telephone support.

10. Seek help. If your symptoms are so bad that you can’t live a normal life, see your GP for medical help."

What about you? Are you affected by SAD? Which of these tips do you follow to save yourself from the winter blues?

I'll tag a few members to get the conversations stated:

@Heatheranne @Tigger.co.uk @lesmal @Mulligankaren @Kent0956 @lar123 @robjmckinney @wiltshireman @Eileen1956 @brianmac @Mich1969 @Pippadog @Mandy59 @Ray-Ann @mikesalmons @HannahAitken @millerkaren @patric @Faithkitty @VICKICOFFEY @Daveyb73 @YorkshireJayne @laney365 @NannieAnn @NeilRichardCox @judithshapiro @lancsman @chrissie2018 @hinapar @Yank34 @marymack @mjteddy @Elk217015

Take care,

Lizzi from the Carenity team

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avatar Yank34

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18/01/2024 at 15:23

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I still struggle when the days get shorter, mornings darker and temperatures decline, for quite a few years - perhaps the last 20 years? Although a very optimistic person, always smiling, laughing & seeing the funny side to almost everything, it feels like my entire body & mind wants & actually does “shut down” and personally find every activity of daily living becomes even more problematic than during the rest of the year.To help combat these negative effects, I try to remember to sit in front of a white light, specifically designed for S.A.D plus ALWAYS need to wear umpteen layers of clothing because I’m sooooooo sensitive to lower temperatures. I’m not sure if this is due to having historic & genetic hypothyroidism & having MS for 45 years because both conditions commonly cause sensitivity to temperature? Perhaps it’s because that many people I know well, have shared with me that they have a predilection for preferring the time of year & temperatures associated with what month/season they were born in? Luckily I LOVE Christmas which is 1 of my greatest ‘saving graces’ that so assist me in dealing with winters!!!!!!! Apart from that, I really do become much more of an anti-social ‘hermit’! Again, I’ve subsequently always striven to have 2 sun-seeking (& heat-needing) holidays during the winter which greatly boosts myself, emotionally/intellectually & greatly improves my energy levels & physical capabilities which unfortunately many people cannot afford to do.Sending you all my very best wishes for 2024. I so hope there are many more people who do NOT struggle with this condition than those of you who do. I think it’s imperative that we all find what works best for each of us, to effectively enable us all to remain as healthy & happy as possible 🫂 xx

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Ann


How do you beat the winter blues? https://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/other-discussions/good-to-know/how-do-you-beat-the-winter-blues-5249 2024-01-18 15:23:42

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avatar Eileen1956

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17/01/2024 at 20:12

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avatar Eileen1956

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I keep as warm as I can. Also try and keep my brain active . . Eating hot food and plenty of hot drinks


How do you beat the winter blues? https://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/other-discussions/good-to-know/how-do-you-beat-the-winter-blues-5249 2024-01-17 20:12:47

avatar robjmckinney

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17/01/2024 at 20:43

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We lock ourselves away until Spring for our holiday season to start all through the Summer to November, so there is no sad for us. Eat what we want, within moderation, medicine does the rest so why be sad. Always look on the bright side..........as the saying goes, life is far to short!

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robjmckinney


How do you beat the winter blues? https://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/other-discussions/good-to-know/how-do-you-beat-the-winter-blues-5249 2024-01-17 20:43:53

avatar YorkshireJayne

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18/01/2024 at 08:10

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I don't really get the winter blues because I love winter! I love nothing better than wrapping up warmly and getting out in the fresh air for a walk, then home to a hot drink and cake or biscuits. The shorter days don't bother me either, I'm a positive person, see the bright side of everything and don't see the point in negativity.

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Life is for living, do it, no matter what!


How do you beat the winter blues? https://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/other-discussions/good-to-know/how-do-you-beat-the-winter-blues-5249 2024-01-18 08:10:54

avatar lesmal

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18/01/2024 at 09:12

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Winter blues don't usually affect me. I love winter and my seizures seem to be less in the colder weather. I love walking in the wind, then returning for a hot cup of tea or coffee. I do Word Search puzzles to keep the brain going and being a positive person, seldom do I get depressed.

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Les


How do you beat the winter blues? https://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/other-discussions/good-to-know/how-do-you-beat-the-winter-blues-5249 2024-01-18 09:12:04

avatar Tigger.co.uk

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18/01/2024 at 12:18

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My son bought me a throw that I can use when watching TV it has a control to use to regulate the heat it is beautiful don't need to turn the heating on to much but the only time I go out is if my trev takes me but at the moment I haven't been out much as I have a really bad cough and my migraine has been really painful looking forward to the warmer weather gets here still finding it hard to sleep at night feel really tired but can't sleep but there are plenty of people worse off than myself

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D M A


How do you beat the winter blues? https://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/other-discussions/good-to-know/how-do-you-beat-the-winter-blues-5249 2024-01-18 12:18:57

avatar Yank34

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18/01/2024 at 15:23

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 Best comment

I still struggle when the days get shorter, mornings darker and temperatures decline, for quite a few years - perhaps the last 20 years? Although a very optimistic person, always smiling, laughing & seeing the funny side to almost everything, it feels like my entire body & mind wants & actually does “shut down” and personally find every activity of daily living becomes even more problematic than during the rest of the year.To help combat these negative effects, I try to remember to sit in front of a white light, specifically designed for S.A.D plus ALWAYS need to wear umpteen layers of clothing because I’m sooooooo sensitive to lower temperatures. I’m not sure if this is due to having historic & genetic hypothyroidism & having MS for 45 years because both conditions commonly cause sensitivity to temperature? Perhaps it’s because that many people I know well, have shared with me that they have a predilection for preferring the time of year & temperatures associated with what month/season they were born in? Luckily I LOVE Christmas which is 1 of my greatest ‘saving graces’ that so assist me in dealing with winters!!!!!!! Apart from that, I really do become much more of an anti-social ‘hermit’! Again, I’ve subsequently always striven to have 2 sun-seeking (& heat-needing) holidays during the winter which greatly boosts myself, emotionally/intellectually & greatly improves my energy levels & physical capabilities which unfortunately many people cannot afford to do.Sending you all my very best wishes for 2024. I so hope there are many more people who do NOT struggle with this condition than those of you who do. I think it’s imperative that we all find what works best for each of us, to effectively enable us all to remain as healthy & happy as possible 🫂 xx

See the signature

Ann


How do you beat the winter blues? https://www.carenity.co.uk/forum/other-discussions/good-to-know/how-do-you-beat-the-winter-blues-5249 2024-01-18 15:23:42

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