I really enjoy going to botanic gardens and greenhouses. The plants and the warm humid air always brings me up
This is the one I came here to say. For anyone living in or visiting Chicago, the Garfield Park Conservatory is a lovely place to spend a few hours on a cold winter day.
This sounds lovely. I have a bright lamp supposedly for light therapy, but it just feels blinding and unnatural. Leaving the house and being with plants seems like a better idea.
A light box for SAD. Mine is on a timer and I use it as an alarm clock. It really works.
For me it’s bright lights and exercise, especially if I can do the exercise in the bright lights
It’s tough though but it’s way easier now that I’m working days
When I was working night shift and wouldn’t see the sun for 2 months I was losing my mind
Vitamin D pills
I second this. 2500mg
Hot yoga. Indoor climbing. Both if you can. Activity + heat + big, bright open space that tricks your brain into thinking you’re getting outdoor sunlight.
Think they also make UVB Bulbs for people so you can get some Vitamin D
Get into the festive shit. I never cared about Chirstmas or anything, so December was just cold/dark time. Wife was kind of in the same boat, but one year she just went nuts with decorating and holiday foods, events, etc. When you go through the motions, your living space will feel like a happier place; and it’ll pass the time.
And if you live somewhere with more of a mixed population, try to find info on your local cultural groups, and keep close tabs on their event calendars - and actually show up! India does a ‘festival of lights’ thing for example that has nothing to do with Santa or Jesus, but is still a super colorful, fun, and fucking DELICIOUS event. Most cultures have some kind of winter holiday, and when they host local events it makes for some really cool new experiences.
There’s also some good ol’ fashioned escapism. Pick your poison - reading, gaming, etc. Gaming is mine, and this is a good time of year to break out the nostalgic/comfort games. I just started another run of Subnautica, since it’s basically a tropical diving simulator; get immersed into that, and you’ll stop caring about the gloomy weather n’ shit.
The problem is that my cultural events are all about killing as many animals and shoving them into your face as possible and I no longer agree with that.
But yes, I agree with making you home more festive during winter.
LMAO what culture is this
Bright daylight bulbs, or good colour changing bulbs to simulate sunshine.
When it is bright outside, go outside and get some sun! Even if it’s cold, you’re still going to get some benefit.
Get an indoor air quality monitor. Open your windows and let in as much fresh air as the outside temperature allows. Cold weather = people don’t open windows = carbon dioxide and other shit builds up inside.
Circulate air with fans or central air set to fan only.
Hot drinks. Coffee, tea, hot cocoa. I feel like they can’t be truly appreciated unless the weather is cold.
Light box, exercise, and up your vitamin D intake
Other people have covered the basics but when I was young and broke and lived in a northern latitude, I would make ceviche with catfish. Catfish is surprisingly high in vitamin D and is always affordable. Ceviche is kind of a “tropical” dish so it made me feel better for non-vitamin reasons too.
I’ve found for me it’s about getting out and enjoying it. Hiking with the dogs, skiing, snow shoeing, sledding, snowball fights and snowman building etc.
I found that viewing winter as a time when I’m stuck inside was super negative for me. Now I look forward to the things that winter brings and allows for.
The only tough part still is when it gets gray for long periods but I soak up the sun when it’s here.
A good quality sun lamp.
I love this time of year.
I tried everything and the only thing that works for me is indoor tanning 1-2 times a week.
Sauna especially if you can get out in the cold at the same time. The humid air and heat will warm your bones and then you will really appreciate the freezing cold air. Extra bonus is by doing the temperature extremes your body gets recalibrated so you feel less cold when bundled outside and in your house.
