By jamisue
I think I’ve come down with a case of the Winter Blues and looking at the calendar, it may be a little early. My head tells me I should be happy about the moisture the good Lord is providing by all this snow, and I should be happy that we had a relatively warm Fall season, but my emotions and the cold wind tell me my head is stupid.
At this time of year I go crazy with the short days and long nights and count the days, not untill Christmas, but until December 21st which to me is hump day. The shortest day and longest night of the year. After the 21st, the days get longer and I can tell myself that we’re on the upside. But it doesn’t feel that way each morning as my alarm goes off, and it is pitch black outside, with the wind and snow beating against my bedroom window. It feels like I should bury my head under the covers for an even longer winter’s nap. It just isn’t right getting up in the morning, if the sun hasn’t also risen.
As I write this post the snow is falling yet again and the forcast looks bleak. More wind, more cold, more snow. I know it’s too early for the Winter Blues, but I need a fix of sunshine and light. I want to be naked on a tropical beach somewhere, with Pablo the cabana boy bringing me lemonaid and shrimp cocktails. I know I should be grateful that I have a comfortable home to keep me warm and a 4 wheel drive vehicle with bun-warming seats. But knowing that still doesn’t cure the Winter Blues.
Am I alone in my doldrums? Is there a cure?




Not sure what the fix is. If someone knows, I will be in line right behind you to get a 3 month supply!
My Winter Blues usually hit mid-Jan and Feb. To me that is when my tolerance for cold, gray, dreary days just completely wears thin. I hadn’t considered Dec 21 as hump day, but I usually don’t struggle much until the new year starts to become familiar. Then again, Dec has my birthday, anniversary, Christmas, and New Year’s Eve… so there is enough to keep me busy and focused until the kids are back in school and the snow/ice just isn’t fun any more.
All I can say is hang in there! From talking with my family and friends, I know you are in good company!
Comment #1 by Michelle AMDecember 30th, 2008 at 1:29 pmIs there a cure? Yup. I resisted buying a light lamp for years, but did so about five years ago at my husband’s insistence. It’s a drug-free god-send. It doesn’t replace a summer day, but it absolutely takes the edge off — especially when I combine it with exercise. More about my SAD story here:
http://the-exponent.com/2008/01/23/sadness-2008/
Comment #2 by DeborahDecember 30th, 2008 at 2:02 pmYou’re definitely not alone. This morning I woke up and decided that I was going to just stay in my jammies all day (which is a big deal for me. . . I rarely last past 8:30 in my jammies). Luckily around noon the sun decided to poke out just enough to get me in some real clothes and have some hope for the future.
Obviously I have no suggestions other than to just pray for sun. It’s amazing how much even a minute of direct sunshine can uplift.
Comment #3 by JamieDecember 30th, 2008 at 2:03 pmI’m with Deborah on this one. Light therapy rocks– and recently someone told me that a tanning bed gives the same effects. This may seem shallow, but who doesn’t a warm healthy glow on your face while reeping the effects? Apparently in other countries, docs actually prescribe the tanning bed. Who knew?
Comment #4 by EmilyDecember 30th, 2008 at 2:18 pmI hate winter. It should be outlawed! And I agree with the light therapy. It can be helpful. Or just move to Florida.
Comment #5 by apple pieDecember 30th, 2008 at 2:51 pmLight therapy is a very good thing for helping with Winter Blues. What I’ve learned from my own case of SAD is that with the days being shorter, the sun being further away and therefore colder, and us being inside more, our bodies don’t produce enough vitamin D. You need 15 minutes of sun exposure daily to get your entire daily requirement of vitamin D made by your body. Light therapy will probably help tons, or a tanning bed, or, you can get vitamin D supplements to take in the winter. Just make sure to follow dosing exactly, because you can overdose on vitamin D (though it does take a lot). The vitamin course has helped me a lot in years past, before I could afford a full-spectrum lamp. Good luck, there are a lot of people out there in the same boat!
Comment #6 by NaomiDecember 30th, 2008 at 3:26 pmJust today, navigating the packed, warm, sunny, traffic-laden California freeway googaplex interchanges, I got a phone call from my husband’s aunt, letting us know we have about 6+ more inches of snow in our yard. We already had almost four feet- and we’re waiting for a window in the weather to drive home.
You can all throw marshmallows or tomatoes at me for this, but, as a California native, now living for almost 7 years in the northwest, I have come to love the seasons.
I think there is something normal and natural about the bottom of the year being a time of quiet, or dormancy- we force celebrations and business, but nature sleeps. Cycles slow, and our natural rythms do too.
Now, I’m not in any way dismissing people who’ve been effected by SAD or depression- I have been too. I’m just thinking that constant sunlight may not allow the natural cycles to take place…
Or, maybe I’m just looking for a silver lining as I get ready to head back to the icy northwest and my driveway full of snow and ice.
Comment #7 by tracy mDecember 30th, 2008 at 5:01 pmAnother vote for light therapy and vitamin D. Years before I ever heard of SAD I knew that if the sun was shining in the winter it was a good idea to go out and stand in it. Later my SAD light gave the same good results. I am convinced that for many of us it is metabolic and probably genetic (thanks to my Scandinavian ancestors–the morose Scandinavian stereotype is not without some substance.)
Comment #8 by Marjorie ConderDecember 30th, 2008 at 6:00 pmSure there’s a cure - my dad found a deal tonight: 7 night cruise to the bahamas, 249 a person, plus a $500 on-board credit!!
Comment #9 by Aunt LoLoDecember 30th, 2008 at 6:37 pmYou need one of those light therapy boxes, I hear they’re very good for those who are SAD! I feel for you, I really do. I feel much the same way, except I have no snow. How pathetic is that?
Comment #10 by SallyGirlDecember 30th, 2008 at 6:46 pmI find one of the best cures for the winter blues is to go for a good walk outside in the middle of day when the sun is shining.
Of course, that assumes you get enough of a break during the day to go outside and walk. And that it stops snowing long enough for you to do so. And that the sidewalks aren’t sheets of ice.
*sigh*
I was going to proclaim how silly I think tanning is, but now I’m not so sure…
Comment #11 by KatieDecember 30th, 2008 at 8:54 pmThis year I decided to get a dawn simulator lamp, because I have such a hard time waking up if it’s dark (even though I don’t get depressed–I just can’t wake up at all). It works wonderfully. It takes 30 minutes to come to full brightness, and then I wake up! It’s like magic. I aim it right at my face, and I don’t even mind.
Comment #12 by dangermomDecember 30th, 2008 at 10:18 pmI moved to Costa Rica. My family came from Canada for Christmas this year. They left -35 degrees Celsius and arrived to +35 (around 95 degrees on the Fahrenheit scale). It rains constantly in October, but it’s still a worthwhile trade.
Comment #13 by mitsyDecember 31st, 2008 at 2:49 pmI’m highly likely going to buy one of the sunlamps from sunbox.com this year. Especially if it will be covered by my FSA funds!
Comment #14 by BDecember 31st, 2008 at 3:54 pmI think January should be taken as a vacation month for everyone! It is such a gray, depressing month! I always try to get outside on sunny days, but I need more than 15 minutes. With my whole body bundled up I am only getting sun on my face, so I don’t even wear sunscreen (gasp) for my short trips out. Also, I have come up with some winter activities that I can look forward to (I sew more in the winter, read more, craft more, organize closets, etc.)
Comment #15 by LisaCDecember 31st, 2008 at 5:19 pmSounds like you need a jaunt to Arizona.
Comment #16 by The WizJanuary 1st, 2009 at 12:32 amSeriously, my psych recommends I take a week-long trip down to Vegas (where I’m from and my momma still lives) in January/February. That’s in addition to the marvelous light box I bought for 40% off last spring (good time to look online for discounted full-spectrum boxes!).
I totally feel your pain. Seriously look into the light box, it is a miracle.
Comment #17 by KerynJanuary 1st, 2009 at 5:14 pm