i live in cleveland ohio, and it snows a ton in the winter, it makes me depressed, is there anything i can do?

Question

just wondering what i can to to overcome being depressed in the winter when it snows....this has to involve NOT MOVING i am in school and only 18

Answer 1

I'm from Alabama and I worked in Cleveland one summer. Lived in Lakewood. The girls are beautiful. That being said, you're only alternative is to find something else to focus on during the winter besides the snow. Are you active enough? Do you play sports or belong to clubs? Physical activity releases endorphins in your brain (better than an anti-depressant). Find other interests such as a boyfriend or a close group of friends. The more you have to focus on besides the winter the better.

If this doesn't help, see a professional. You could have Seasonal Affective Disorder or SAD.

Answer 2

Plenty! I live in Cleveland too, and when I was your age, which wasn't that long ago, I'm 34, we were doing all kinds of crazy stuff to relieve the boredom and winter blues, like having snowball fights and playing in the snow, then we'd go in and snuggle up on the couch and drink something hot, or eat some spicy rigatoni, or just stay inside and watch a movie. I was on my own at 18, working and going to college, and all of my time was taken up by one or the other, so on the weekends I had to make the most of it. We would play tag in the snow - and it would be freeze tag, because we were really freezing! LOL - I don't know which side of the city you're on, but if you can roller skate, you can ice skate, and that can really be a ball of laughs. Make snow angels, just because. And you obviously don't know what a beautiful place you live in. Going to just about any of the Metroparks in the winter is awesome, especially at twilight. Its really breathtaking. Go to one of the winter solstice festivals, you'll really enjoy it, and now is the time when you should be really learning your family's traditions, so that you'll be able to take them with you when you are on your own. Like Mom's special stuffing recipe for Thanksgiving dinner, or whatever. Go downtown and see the lighting ceremony and windowshop to see all the holiday decoration displays. Take a thermos of hot chocolate and a dear friend and do it together to make a memory or start a tradition of your own. Yes, light therapy can help, but you also have to try to help yourself be happy, and enjoy the frozen moments. If none of what I written helps, look at it this way, the cold preserves you, people in colder climates age better, and that's the truth of it! So laugh to yourself about that sweet fact. Here's another thought...it is a time for rest and rejuvenation/recooperation, when the Earth renews itself in order for it to burst forth with the seed of spring. So take comfort in knowing that Spring isn't that far off once winter sets in, and Christmas just isn't as Christmasy without snow. Yeah, sliding in it and frozen toes aren't much fun, but warming them up with someone special is, and there's always winter break and snow days to look forward to. Don't be in such a hurry to be soo mature that you forget how to play, this will make you old, and that's definitely not what you want. 18 is a hard age - take it easy on yourself, and don't grow up too fast, you'll have more responsibility than you know what to do with in a minute and that's what will really be depressing you, not winter. I really hope this helps.

Answer 3

When the early part of the snow and cold of the year comes, it is fun to go up to the the old GE Nela Park headquarters and walk along Noble Road an look at the Christmas lights. They put them up early and it is easier to get to than downtown if you are an east sider. (Since the east side is where we get all the _snow_, I am guessing you might be.)

Head over there, park the car, and walk along the road and look at the lighting display. Or just drive really slow on the north-bound side of the road. It's always really neat. If you miss it before Christmas, it stays up a while after Christmas, til new years I think. In addition to everything everyone else has suggested (UV lights and exercise), I say, let the Christmas display at Nela Park cheer you up.

Answer 4

I do I live in Cleveland Ohio in the Treemont area.

Answer 5

Yes there is. One thing is to get a sunshine monitor that gives you 30 minutes of sunshine everyday. You can use it while reading. Another important thing is to keep your activity levels up as endorphins (happy thoughts ) are created when you remain active...Whatever you do don't become a couch potato and feel sorry for yourself.

A good book to read is the Joy of Chemistry and the Biology of Success. The latter has many tips for SAD.

Answer 6

There are specific lights that you can get with UV rays. Spending additional time in a room with these lights has been proven to cure seasonal depression, which is usually directly related to the fewer hours of sunshine in the day. Good luck!!

Answer 7

Sounds like you have seasonal affective disorder. It happens to a lot of people. It is caused by less sunlight as the days get shorter. It can be treated with light therapy.

Answer 8

Looks like your sad just looking at snow =\ Nothing you can do. Personally, l like snow

Answer 9

Snow sports?

Answer 10

You can focus on the positive, you can see a counselor, or you could talk to your regular doctor about possible treatment options.