darkness

[iida]

It is so dark here. I don´t remember when I last saw the sun. It has been at least weeks if not months. We have no snow here in the southern Finland at all. This darkness makes me (and everyone else) so tired.
When I was a child, we used to go iceskating and skiing in November, now it is a waste of money to buy sledges or winter sport equipment at all.
Winters are not what they used to be. And the older I get, the worse I can handle this darkness. I guess I need some vitamin D.
What ever happened to the four seasons. Springs and autumns are ok, but summers and winters are not the same anymore.

Please, say something that helps me get through this winter. I am desperate.

[QM]

I find that by mid-March I'm desperate for spring and sunnier days. One year I found that by buying a bright, cheerful tablecloth and putting a little pot of tulips in the centre of my kitchen table really brightened the atmosphere and my spirits. Try also playing happy classical music in the background...it may also help!

I'm sorry it's so dark where you're from. I kind of understand your frustration. We get sunlight depending on the days and weather in the winter where I'm from.

[JanieD]

I try to add small lamps to my rooms during the winter. I turn them on in the evenings & find the soft light is quite comforting. I also love candles & using "cut" glass holders or mirrors to reflect the light really brighten things up. I think brighter colors (in your home & clothing) is a wonderful way to lift your spirits. Do you enjoy reading? Maybe reading something set during Spring would cheer you up!

Hope others can offer more advise!

[ravenmoonmother]

You could try watching films that are set in sunny locations. At the moment my kids love Mama Mia, its a good film to cheer you up.

[Ilovesewing]

Forgive my lousy geography knowledge, but is it always dark this time of year for you? Like Alaska maybe? Or are you just having a bad weather pattern that is creating darkness?

A few years ago we had a horrible winter with nothing but thick fog for weeks. It got to where dh and I were going to go nuts. Sunshine does wonders for the soul. So we put ourselves in the car and headed up the Sierra's to get above the fog. We spent the day basking in the sunshine and it absolutely restored our souls. It was so disheartening to drive back down the hill and see the fog coming to swallow us up . Is this a darkness you can get above if only for a short while? I'm guessing it isn't, and in that case I don't have any advice except to let you know I know how you feel

[MomToTwoBoys]

I had a really hard time adjusting to the seven hours of daylight we get here and I can't imagine how it is further north! You could always try putting a screensaver on your monitor that has something sunny on it, or even do that for the background.

[TheRootedNomad]

Lighting should be a huge help. Can you get sun lamps where you are? If not you should be able to get them over the net. A friend of mine has SAD (seasonal affective disorder) and uses light therapy. He says it helps him tremendously. He has a couple of the really stong sunboxes. I would imagine living where the sun is gone for such long periods of time there would be many people there that suffer the same effects.

Here's one of many web sites that talk about it.
http://www.webmd.com/depression/tc/s...topic-overview

Have you tried talking to your doctor there about it? He may be able to tell you exactly what you could use for the best results.

Hope you feel better soon!

[IntlMom]

The other thing is trying to enjoy the cozyiness of the darkness. I know that some ppl have a hard time with it, but if you can try and enjoy some of the "coziness" that comes with staying inside and enjoying time with family, that might help you make it thru till spring.

[prftstrngr]

Id try the sun lamps...I know people who swear by them. I would also try to find some comfort in the darkness.... make it a snuggly time.

[LuvMyHubby]

I can relate, it gets dark very early here during the winter. Ultra violet light can help, at least you can sort of feel like there is sunlight.

Some good comedies (if you like movies) and definately some pretty colorful pick me ups .i.e. inexpensive flowers or hand towels or table cloth.

My favorite thing for a bad day, especailly from work, driving home I crank the radio up very loud..probably obnoxiously so and put on my favorite 80's hair bands or something even more loud and obnoxious, think Heavy metal/industrial . Makes me happy each and every time.

[shadowfax]

Get outdoors as much as you can. Even if you can only be outside for a half hour or so do it. Go for a walk or something. Even if it is cold bundle up and just get outside.

I think part of the reason I don't get so down is I work at night a lot so I get to spend a good bit of my available daylight outside with my horses.

Also think on this. The shortest day of the year has passed winter solstice was the 21st. The days are getting longer.

[fixer]

I would try a light box to combat SAD. I cannot imagine what it is like to live where you do. I am sure there are a lot of positive things about it as long as you get through winter. A good positive attitude is really important.

[LastDragonfly]

Bless your heart! I concur with the others and suggest you see your doctor, find cozy moments, watch hilarious movies, sing to music you LOVE, read your gardening and flower magazines and find your favorite flowers, walk to the end of the street and back.
Hugs !

[monkeywrangler71]

Turn as many lights on in the house as possible in the morning, turn them all out at night - hopefully that will give your circadian rhythm the correct cues so it knows to be tired at night and awake in the day. When you get up in the morning, push yourself to be as active as possible, let your body know it's morning. Then when evening hits, force yourself to sit and relax, so you know it's night.

Hopefully reminding your body of the difference between day and night will help. If not, look for the SAD lamp, I know some people have really positive results with them.

Just try to remember, the worst is past and the Sun is on it's way back now.

[Ceashels]

I agree with trying a sun lamp.

As already said, the worst is over as the Solstice is past and there are only 4 more weeks before we start seeing a noticeable difference in the amount of light in the northern hemisphere. I keep my mini "mile stones" with the agricultural calendar. So at the beginning of February I'm thinking of seasonal changes of early spring. (For us it is the celebration of "groundhog day" (contemporary) that marks the change. Imbolc for the pagans here, and I believe the celebration of St Brigid or Blase on the Christian calendar.

In the mean time (January) I start planning for the things I need or want for my garden. I look forward to deciding on when I want to get seedlings started and where I want to put them once Spring is in bloom. Do you do things in the spring that you can start planning for now? Are you able to do some activities either in or outside to carry you over the cold winter blues?

I hope this helps.