I ensure I take a high dose of Vitamin D through the Winter months, use an occasional sun bed and walk for at least 30 minutes outside, even if it raining or horrible!

I adjust my routine too. In the Summer I would be out and about more, but in the Winter I accept it’s not always possible – so I plan an earlier bedtime because that’s what my body tells me to do. I still get up as early as I would in the Summer though.

I focus on Art projects that keep me indoors, I read more, catch up on films & box sets I don’t tend to bother with in the Summer. I also experiment a lot more in the kitchen with new recipes, wholesome Winter soups & stews.

I continue to plan meet ups with friends, go for warming hot chocolate in cafes, keep myself as busy as I would in the brighter months.

Finally I ensure I’m as mindful as possible to maintain a healthy, positive state of mind through out. I focus on the beauty of the night skies, the “colours” of the Winter months. I search for holly, mistletoe – I love the beauty of red berries at this time. I observe nature, feed the birds.

I’m not always as positive, I’m prone to depression too – but these simple things all really help. 🙂

Aw thank you Lauren – That’s really thoughtful and kind. For once, – I’m doing OK right now but I love that you offered.

I’d love to hear about your stand-up stuff in Australia though! Sounds amazing….

I just feel that in the Winter, we see the birds migrate, a lot of animals go into hibernation and I believe we are not all that different. There’s a natural feeling to want to retreat inside, to be in the warm and to sleep more and I feel it’s natural to allow ourselves to move along in the best way we can with that shift of season.

I’m also a big believer of eliminating sugar and I largely avoid it too – Only I also believe that a comforting mug of hot chocolate or mulled wine are a great way to go in the colder months and over the Festive season. I’d never deprive myself of chocolate (ha ha!) but all in moderation.

One thing I meant to ask you – was do you have a SAD lamp/ light box?

@ Hi Anita – from my perspective, I’m prone to depression unfortunately and tend to be really affected by life style changes. I used to see an increase in that over the Winter months but less so through out the year unless specifically triggered by a stressful event. I’m more aware now of the potential triggers (SAD being one of them) and I’m prepared now with a lot of tools in place to deal with it if the ghastly symptoms start to creep back in! 🙂

Hey Lauren,

I’ve got the same question as Imomum – Do you mean a light therapy lamp/box by ‘the light’ in your first comment?

Because I tried everything you mentioned last winter, exercise, essential oils, meditation or yoga, for months and they were doing nothing for me, so I ended up trying an antidepressant but then soon the winter was over so I stopped. Which worked by the way even if it was a short period of time.

But this autumn/winter, I started light therapy and it’s seriously life-changing, I wish I’d had this last winter and the winters before. If you did mean light therapy and you’re already doing it but it’s not really helping, try increasing the dose, I do it during all morning, sometimes even in the afternoon, instead of the recommended time which is 30 minutes in the morning per day. Because I was doing it for 30 min as recommended since September (because you’re supposed to start it before it actually gets gloomy) and I had that drop-down feeling early October as soon as it got grey, and I googled and read that if it’s not being efficient, you can try longer duration. And I’m all good now, I’d even say I’m no longer used to ‘feeling well’ this time of the year with this kind of weather so it’s even quite weird to feel well! Haha.

Also, as Imomum does, I take a high dose of vitamin D (10000 IU every other day) too. I don’t know if it helps mood-wise but it definitely helps physiologically and keeps my energy level right.

Being and touring in Australia should absolutely help though! Only some weeks to go for you then 🙂

I joined the site to be able to leave you a reply, so please try the light therapy (higher dose)! I feel like I could even go live in Sweden or Finland if I have this haha.

But yeah as Anita suggests, I’ll be moving down south as soon as I can, well, if I can, job etc. etc. Life isn’t that simple sometimes eh.

Hope it’s of some use for you.

Dear Lauren:

You are welcome. I hope your light therapy as you experiment with it, works well for you.

Because you get depressed because  of the changing weather, it will be wonderful when you move to a different climate, maybe Australia, as you mentioned.

But the rejections, part  of your business, that will probably be a problem, affecting you negatively somehow, sometimes, in any climate, I imagine.

anita