Staying Motivated in the Cold

**monkeywrangler71** · 10-12-2010, 11:53 AM

Winter is coming and I can feel my hibernation instinct coming with it. Does anyone else have trouble getting things done when it's cold? I find that in the winter I need really to push myself to do mundane tasks like laundry or housework - i always want to curl up somewhere instead. I do feel a bit more motivated to cook and bake though - any excuse to stand beside a hot oven

**frugalwarrior2** · 10-12-2010, 11:55 AM

Agreed. Need a list. Even then. Slow moving. Hot tea helps. Used to be choc.

**Spikey1341** · 10-12-2010, 12:01 PM

For me it's not the cold so much as the gray days. I can really get in a funk when there is no sun.

**Russ** · 10-12-2010, 12:03 PM

I'm a slug in the winter. Days and days of cloudy skies makes me want to stay in bed.

**monkeywrangler71** · 10-12-2010, 12:21 PM

When we were househunting I had all these ideas in my head about what size/type house I wanted and how much land, etc. Once we actually started going into places, the list got thrown out and every house was eliminated, and then one eventually purchased, based almost entirely on sunlight exposure.

There's too much fog and precipitation here (year round) to live in a dark house.

**Contrary Housewife** · 10-12-2010, 03:32 PM

I think a lot of people suffer to some degree in the winter from lack of sunlight. Let's face it, humans are diurnal and low light levels trigger our desire to sleep.

In winter I keep the heat at a modestly comfortable temp. A setting that is comfortable with winter clothing like long sleeved shirts, a sweater and socks or slippers on.

I keep lights on, even during the day, especially since we don't have a lot of windows and it can be dark in here even in summer.

Get up in the morning, get some sunlight or lights in your face, and don't go to bed too early or too late. In other words keep to a schedule, don't sleep late because it is a dreary day or go to bed early just to get under the covers.

Keep getting your vegetables and/or vitamins. Without so much fresh produce in the winter it can be tougher to maintain a balanced healthful diet.

**AspiringToBeFrugal** · 10-12-2010, 05:18 PM

I keep motivated by listing all the things I can do to save a bit of $$$ and then focus on finding MORE ways to save! Moving around doing those "mundane" chores helps and keeping busy helps me stay away from hibernating on the couch in front of the TV!

And I agree...hot tea helps!

**shoiji** · 10-12-2010, 06:05 PM

I have noticed that when it is cold and damp outside I am always wondering if it is time for a nap. The thought of being able to bury myself under the covers with the cat snoring away make me want to take a nap.

**Judi Dial** · 10-12-2010, 06:08 PM

I suffer from wanna hibernate-itus too, big time.

All I want to do lately is drink tea/cocoa in bed and read.

It's a real push for me to get anything done. Partly I do as much as I do by "rewarding" myself by playing games here (or elsewhere) in between getting the dishwasher loaded, the laundry folded, etc.

Judi

**pat in east texas** · 10-12-2010, 08:11 PM

I'm actually more motivated when it's cold. Summer heat turns me into a slug, but cool days energize me.

**LuLuBleen** · 10-12-2010, 08:28 PM

Yeah, I always thought that bears were smarter than people because they fatten up in autumn, sleep all winter and wake up (thin) in the spring. Sounds great to me.

In winter, I need one more hour of sleep per night and a bit more caffeine during the day than in warmer months.

**porembam** · 10-12-2010, 08:41 PM

I love hibernating in the winter. Nothing like settling in at night with a cup of hot cocoa and a blanket on my lap.

**Squidge** · 10-13-2010, 06:42 AM

I am so comforted that other people experience this as well. When the cold weather sets in, I find it difficult to even get out of bed because of the dark and cold

I agree that hot tea really helps! My OH started to bring tea into me first thing in the morning to help me wake up and get motivated to start the day - I cannot tell you how much I appreciated that and what a difference it made.

As you've said, detailed lists work for me, too - helps me feel like there's a purpose to the day.

Has anyone heard of/used UV light therapy to counteract the effects of reduced sunlight hours? I always wondered if this could be beneficial, or if it is perhaps reserved for those who have clear cases of Seasonal Affective Disorder or something?

**Pemberleyan** · 10-13-2010, 07:37 AM

I know what you mean, just wanting to stay in a warm bed or curl up on the sofa. For us this year the cool weather is just wonderful. We've had record-breaking heat even in the last week. For me the heat and humidity are more debilitating than winter. When you cannot step outside without immediately perspiring and can hardly breathe, you just want to stay inside with the AC.

**frugal is fun** · 10-13-2010, 09:50 AM

I don't know, I kind of like the winter and l love the fall!

Many a nights last year after I got done shoveling the driveway I would just stand in the middle of my street and listen to the sounds of the cold night and stare up at the stars.

And I love to ski and go sled riding and go for a walk in the snow and drink a nice cold beer while standing on the ice looking into a hole ! LOL!