Wake me up when winter ends....

[emtloki83]

This has been a brutal winter in Wisconsin and every day I kick my self in the ass for coming back after being on the east coast for a very long time. I'm ready for some sun, fresh air and nature. This time of the year has me very depressed, lonely, unmotivated, no energy, isolated and way too dependant on social media for attention. Any one have any good coping mechanisms / skills they use to get through this time of the year?

[LilyAnnepuppy]

When I lived in NJ, I suffered from Seasonal Affective Disorder. It was rough. I feel your pain. But we live in Florida now and that solved that problem. Of course I’ll be complaining in August.

Hang in there. Spring is around the corner.

[Marysblue]

I think the worst is over..try to hang on Spring is almost here.

[Starrlight]

I get myself to go in the sun and out in nature no matter how cold it is and that helps some.

[akbj]

Hi! Boy I feel you. I live in Anchorage, Ak & we had a doozy of a winter this year. Sooo much snow in December, the schools were actually closed for snow reasons for I think 7 days in total. Amazing for a winter city. The streets didn´t get cleared for many weeks. I don´t own a vehicle & was unable to even walk to bus stops for up to a week.

Now it´s coming to breakup. The other day I got off a bus & was swamped by muddy water via 4 vehicles in a row. One right after the other. Cold muddy water top to toe. Our streets & infrastructure aren´t in good shape & there are huge rivers & ponds in the streets. At the same time it´s super slippery. I´ve been fortunate to only have fallen twice this winter.

I used to use a Full Spectrum Light most winters but for some reason I never got it out this year. If you´ve never tried that it might help, I was told by one psychiatrist to actually begin using it around the end of August. At least by September.

Also a big thing in Ak is taking Vitamin D3. It´s supposed to help when there is a lack of sunlight.

I actually came here from northern NM which I loved, the weather there was great. Nice winters, a little snow but mostly clear blue skies. I love colder weather so I like it here but the reality of getting through it is sometimes harsh.

I grew up in northern MN. Probably a lot like the weather where you live.

Hang in there for a few more weeks!

[football_great]

I have found that writing is extremely helpful

[Sawdust23]

I feel you. I’ve been there so many times when the weather is cold, rainy and dark…uninviting. I struggle when these type of days become the norm. One thing that helps me is my Happy Light sitting in my desk. That combined with some nice, uplifting music seems to help out if only a little.