How do you cope with the cold and dark nights?

Question

I really don't like this time of year - go to work in the dark, come home in the dark, it's always cold and miserable.

All I want to do is curl up and stay at home and eat lots of stodgy food!

What do you do to make winter more bearable?

Answer 1

** switch on the lights as soon as you walk in the front door
** take off your coat, etc
** then put on the kettle for a nice cup of tea ~ it not only warms you up but it will curb your appetite a little
** be sure you have something delicious for dinner, like a nice steak and some freshly steamed rice ... or make some Moussaka ... or something Indian and spicy ...
** be sure you have a nice dessert after dinner and an afterdinner coffee and a mint ...or an afterdinner spicy tea ...

** if you would like to go out for the evening
be sure you like your clothes
** be sure you make plans in advance: a concert, or go skating, or bowling (contact some family & friends to go, too )
** take up something new: calligraphy is great fun .... you already write, so find a class to join in the evenings, and you will have a passel of new things: pens, paper, colored markers ... and a whole new skill ... then get some large pieces of oak tag or paper and make posters of your favorite sayings / poems and hang them up around your apartment
** start planning for your summer vacation
** there is nothing wrong with curling up and staying home: be sure not to feel guilty about it, just curl up and enjoy yourself. Eat what you really like for dinner so you do not nibble ..and *plan* for a night cap: a little bowl of warm rice pudding, or a hot drink ... so you will not feel unhappy ... be sure you like your bedding: it should be pretty ...and do a couple of exercises: just a couple .... work up a routine, you might need some more physical strength ....
** did you forget guys? I did not hear a single word about them. They are really nice !! Have a heart !!!
** chocolates, chocolates ....
** soon you can start shopping for Christmas greens and some pine cones ..... they make your place smell beautiful and get some chestnuts and put them on the radiator in a paper bag to toast for 45 minutes ...
** buy some paperwhite narcissus bulbs soon so they will be in bloom for Christmas
** dont worry, be happy .....happiness is a habbit, so plan ahead for your own happiness ...and as I said: do I hear a guy around the corner ? Where is he? You need someone !!

Answer 2

Wear pants or jeans over top of the tights. Take them off when you get to school. I am not a creature of cold.. so I know what you mean. I grew up in a colder winter climate and did take to the cold very well. I always came in crying after my parents let me go out and play in the snow when I was little. I realized a warmer climate is for me.. I can't ever imagine living where there is winter!! Greetings from Las Vegas xoxo Good luck

Answer 3

Me too, I light up the candles at night, put on the fire, eat stodge and curl up in my pj's with my cat and a cuppa horlicks in front of the TV!! Then in the morning its off to the gym for an hours swim to work off all that bad food LOL...thats the hard part going swimming when its cold...I like it though, its different, makes me look forward to the Spring, and the Summer..if it were the same all the time it would be sooo boring. Hey if u hate it that much get a load of holiday brochures and dream about next years holiday :-)

Answer 4

You might have SAD. I'm not sure what it stands for but I think you can buy a special light that acts like the sun which gives your body vitamin D and helps you to feel better. Need to some more research on it really. I might get one because although this is my favourit time of the year I do feel bit low seeing everything dark all the time.

Answer 5

I don't like this time of the year either.
The things I have been doing are,

I put on a pair of warm socks.
I make sure the thermostat is turned up enough.
I enjoy doing a certain craft.
I do Sudoku.
I answer YA "Mental Health" section.
I try to keep my computer running smoothly (an endless battle).
I watch certain programs on TV.
I like to watch scary movies when they're on.
I hope this inspires you. Keep Warm and Stay In The Light.

Answer 6

Lots of people suffer with SAD (Seasonal Affecting Disorder) and as a previous poster suggested, a lamp that gives off a light similar to sunlight can help.

Also, St John's Wort can be bought from most chemists. It's totally natural and comes in tablet form. Takes about 3 weeks to work but apparently is excellent for SAD sufferers.

Answer 7

Look for a special bright light that can be used to combat seasonal affective disorder. Google "SAD light". It's a simulation of the solar light we lack in the winter.

Go for a walk in the middle of the day. It reminds you that it's not always dark out.

Keep thinking that in a month the days start getting longer (today being November 21), and that daylight savings time starts 3 weeks earlier than it used to.

Answer 8

Force myself to work out every day, even if it's just a walk on the treadmill -- it really makes me feel better.

Also, around this time of year, I like to watch some of the Thanksgiving and Christmas specials. Watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade is a good way to kick off the holiday season.

When the new year rolls around, I try to have some outdoor fun like building a snowman or going sledding at the nearest state park or even walking around one of the local historic villages -- there's something about seeing rustic-looking buildings with snow on them.

Answer 9

Turn on our lights, around four pm. Have dinner, a little later to make the evening seem shorter.
Pick out good t.v programs, or movies, or read a good book., or visit with my family.
Turn on my electric blanket, about a half an hour before bed time, and then snuggle down in a nice warm bed. sleep won't be far behind.

Answer 10

I read, I go to work, I surf the net, I search on Youtube for videos with Irish music and dances, I love those. Also, I eat a pomegranate almost every day.