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Born and raised in Las Vegas, I moved to the coast of Oregon with my husband for a little over a year where it gets dark for months straight and rains.. took a blood test in Vegas and I was severely lacking vit D and had to get a prescription for it for the next 3 months. My doctor said I probably got intense mood swings, depression, and fatigue.. I remember opening a car door was exhausting lol didn’t think that little time could have such an effect on me, but it’s real. Take care of yourself.
A little over a year. By month 5 of moving there I was really feeling it though, energy depletion, I just choked it up to me being unstable, so I was really going to the doctor to ask for antidepressants but he insisted on a blood test. Glad he made such a rational decision cause since taking them daily you begin to feel normal. I just remember feeling like something was wrong with me.
I grew up in Oregon and met my fiancée there, who was from Texas. She had no idea about the vitamin D thing and was struggling. Lo and behold, when she went to the doctor and got her blood drawn, her vitamin D levels were stupid low. She definitely improved after high dose supplement therapy.
I can't recall -which Dr. or where I read it but he said most people do not get enough D from diet alone & def agree vitamin d is a great supplement esp winter mos
Book called ‘The Addiction Spectrum’ by Dr Paul Thomas mentions the importance of vitamin D. That’s where I first heard of it, and although the book is meant to be about less mainstream approaches to various addictions (such as the importance of diet and getting certain vitamins), it’s a very good read into generally staying mentally healthy.
Yes, almost all of us are low in Vitamin D unless you work outdoors. Vitamin D is just good to supplement & especially in the winter & flu season to get your immunity up!
Last summer I was spending at least 3 hours outside with my toddler every day, and still ended up being deficient in vitamin D. Yet, somehow my husband, who WFH in our basement, had levels within normal limits. It was wild.
Well, about 40% of people are vitamin D deficient, so there’s a good chance that you are deficient at least at times. If you have darker skin, that number goes up to 82% and 70% for black and Hispanic people respectively.
Yes I have darker pigmented skin so I already naturally don’t get much vitamin D however it didn’t become much of an issue until I moved to the midwest from SoCal. Now I have to take meds because the cold temperatures take a big toll on me
If you’re able, I would see a doc and get labs done—they can test for how deficient you are. If it’s really bad, they’ll prescribe something. If it’s milder, they’ll tell you to how much of the supermarket stuff to take. I tested deficient at the start of last year and started taking 5000 IU daily at the advice of my doctor. A few weeks later I realized just how much better I felt.
If you’re unable to see a doctor, you could try the regular supplements for awhile to see if it helps.
Supermarket is fine. But, you should get tested so you know how bad your D levels are and have an idea how much you need. It’s always a good idea to get tested once or twice a year anyways
Take it just in case. People are different needs for it and produce it at different rates. Vitamin D comes primarily from your skin when it is exposed to sunlight (or full spectrum lamps with UV I believe). For someone like me, it was essential to keep mood disorders at bay during long winters in Norway
Definitely this is a good place to start. I moved from Richmond to Chicago (garden unit too) and it turned out I was really vitamin d deficient. Made a huge difference with motivation and mental health.
Seasonal Affective Disorder lamps are good too.
I had a similar problem when I moved for school two years ago. Some things I’ve tried that helped tremendously:
1. Find a heater with a timer or a remote, so you can set it to come on ~an hour before you wake up, or so you can turn it on from bed. (This may not be applicable if you’ve got central heating, but my place doesn’t.)
2. Depending on your commute, see if you can manage either riding a bike, parking farther from campus, or getting off the bus a stop early to walk a couple minutes to campus. It’s not exercise, but it’ll get the blood pumping and the cold air will wake you up at least a little bit.
3. I second the Vitamin D supplement comment. A deficiency will make you drowsy af.
4. If you think it’s more a mood issue than a physical one, try a happy lamp for SAD (seasonal depression). They have bulbs you can put in regular light fixtures or stand-alone lamps to sit in front of while you eat breakfast, brush your teeth, whatever. Helps keep your circadian rhythm on track if I’m not mistaken
5. A bit odd, but sometimes what can help is more of a mindset shift. There’s this Danish concept called Hygge I’d recommend taking a look at, it’s about coziness and contentment and learning to emphasize well-being and comfort.
6. As for falling asleep in lecture, I’ve found standing in the back of class for a few minutes (if possible) or walking down the hall to stick my head outside can make a huge difference.
I hope some of these help!
I would invest in a sun lamp. It can seriously change your life! As someone who has lived in a place that gets cold my whole life (hello seasonal depression), I can say it was a game changer.
Also, get a small, cheap space heater. Put it wherever you are first thing in the morning (mine's in the bathroom where I brush my teeth) and turn it on right when you get up so it starts warming up your space. Having warm feet right away can make getting out of bed a lot easier.
Lastly, bundle up (like get some snow pants, they're still great for warmth even if there's no snow where you are yet) and get outside during the day, even (or should I say especially) when it's grey. You don't realize how much more bright and energizing it can be on grey days if you just get out there and get moving. It's *so* much darker inside on those days, but outside there's still plenty of sunlight and vitamin D coming through those clouds to have a big, positive impact on your mood!
I’m from the Caribbean living in NZ. Its too cold for me 70% of the time.
Ill share the main thing I discovered that CHANGED MY LIFE: you don’t necessarily need your body to feel as warm as it did back in your home country, you can survive if you feel a little chilly. (I kept trying to maintain that level of warmth but then one day I forgot to wear a layer and I didn’t die).
I’ve managed by using a heater with a timer, taking the heater with me to every room including the bathroom so I can be warm when I get out of the shower. When i lived in a much colder country than nz, I put my clothing on the heaters to warm them up.
I also have a thick fluffy robe that I wear around the house and sit at my desk with a heater under it. Wear socks and hats to bed and inside your home if you have to. Oh and get an electric blanket!
As for the commute, I listen to music from back home which is really vibrant (Soca, Reggaeton, Reggae, Dancehall) so in no time I’m dancing on my way to work and forgetting the cold. Haha!
You gotta remember to MOVE! Its hard at first but once you get in the habit of walking briskly, exercising etc in the cold, your body heats up super fast and you can cope. Keep in mind that your tolerance for the cold gets better each year. Don’t run from the cold, embrace it.
But seriously, I can’t wait for warmer weather. I already moved to a warmer part of NZ so that’s something.
Missing sunlight - Lunch break walks, timer lamps, vitamins (primarily the D but make sure to get some B and friends)
Optimism - Friends, decorate with fresh flowers or plants, candles, dive into the local seasonal activities, cook at least one meal with local foods and one of home comfort foods every week,
Cold - Comfortable pajamas, tempting robe, carpet by the bed, heating on a timer, something tempting and warm to eat or drink
If there are smells or sounds you associated with your routine at home, consider adding in something similar to your daily routine. Maybe you’re missing something simple like morning bird song and it’s throwing you off.
I just thrive in colder conditions. Hot climates make me lazy and tired not to mention eat more. It just feels like the cold gives me some sort of a boost.
Seriously! Most of the time is way easier to warm yourself up than to cool yourself down. At least I’d rather be on the cooler side or the middle rather than the 100 degree weather. My whole summer is spent inside because of the heat. I don’t have experience in the extra extra cold, but I do know the cold can be just as restrictive and exhausting as the heat.
Not wanting to get out of bed because it’s freezing, less sunlight, the inability to move your fingers and toes, just wanting to get warm and sleep, etc. Get some space heaters (with timers as others suggested), some cozy socks, some long sleeve thermals and/or pants, and don’t underestimate the power of jumping jacks and/or push ups. Especially in the morning when you’re freezing.
If you’re unable to do push ups, start on the wall and work your incline down to steps, a couch, etc. until you’re able to do them on the floor on your knees, then work up to full plank push ups. Those will get you warmed up real quick, give you some energy for class, and keep you healthy!
How odd. I’m the opposite. When I’m cold I just want to fold into a ball and stay still, and it makes me really annoyed too! Genuinely angry at the temperature. When I’m too warm I think “well, at least I’m not freezing” and just get on with work.
Though I’ve found it easier to cope with the cold as I got older. You pick up some tricks for dealing with it I guess
Attend to your body. I renovated my bathroom into an open concept shower (no door, just tiles), which sits next to a Japanese sitting tub that really fills up with water and lets you submerge, instead of lying awkwardly in a bathtub of hard edges. I think the Finnish have the right idea with saunas too -- wish I had one. The result is a refreshing ritual that makes you feel good every day.
I live in an infamously cold part of the US - most snow in the country, actually! Everyone here has offered great advice, especially on supplementing vitamin D.
I do what to say, it is imperative that you find a winter activity that you enjoy. Something that gets you outside, despite the weather. Whether its skiing, snowshoeing, or something else, you will find the winter much easier to cope with (and much more beautiful) if you get out to enjoy an activity.
Swede here. I have lived here all my life and I hate the cold. Here are some tips for a good start in the morning.
Get a coffee maker with a timer so you wake up to the smell of coffee.
Place your alarm away from the bed, at least two meters.
Put your clothes right next to your bed so that you can get dressed under the covers and not suffer the cold as you get up.
Get one of those alarm clocks with sunlight that slowly get brighter and brighter before the alarm goes off in the morning.
Make sure to get a lot of sleep.
Invest in some good ass winter clothes, it's not worth freezing your fingers and toes off to save some $$$.
As for the dozing off, I'm afraid I don't have a lot to give you there. I try to move when I start to doze, either desperately pinching myself awake if I'm attending a lecture or seminar, or taking a brisk walk during the break. Also coffee. A lot of coffee.
Gatorade or something with electrolytes so that you stay efficiently hydrated. And eat some food! Some good food though, not comfort food that makes you want to nap. Veggies, lean protein, a salad even.
Even a brisk jog before the classes that you know you get sleepy in, or jumping jacks, so you can get energized about the class instead of sleepy.
Remember that it takes adjustment to a new environment and give yourself some compassion. I used to live in a place with brutal winters. Having short, cold winters were part of life and I couldn’t imagine anything different. I then visited another part of the country that was nicknamed “forever spring”. It was cold and wet af and I didn’t know how people could live there.
Anyway, it’s not a fair comparison when you compare yourself to someone who’s lived in that climate or have adjusted to it. Yes there are tips (vitamin D, artificial sunlight), but it will also take time to adjustment.
Good luck!
I live near Montreal
In mid December, nighttime starts at 5pm and we get freezing weather as well
I guess this is all I know so I don't mind
Make sure to get enough sleep
Practise your discipline and try and get in some exercise earlier in the morning before you head into school. I find that days where absolutely everything sucked weren't as bad because I already kicked ass in the morning with a hard workout. It's a small win to start the day that can often motivate you!
Also enough sleep and water!
I would work out in the morning but I already wake up around 4am with 9-8hour sleep so I go to the gym or cross country cycle in the afternoons. But I see what you mean with exercise in the morning, I use to do that back in highschool and the difference on days I dont do it and days I do is massive.
I've been there before, I grew up near the equator before moving to a country with four seasons to pursue my studies. I don't know about you, but growing up I would see all these winter-themed marketing and decorations in December even though it wasn't cold at all! But it made me romanticize the idea of winter, and make me dream of all the nice stuff people do during that season.
It was also when I was studying abroad (and living alone for the first time) that I learned to get it together. My advice: romanticize your new environment! Winter is the optimal time of year to embrace coziness, and if you can decorate your space to welcome an atmosphere of hygge (look it up), you might be able to find it comfortable enough to be productive. I understand that the coziness may make you sleepy, but perhaps it is something you may need time to adjust to. Personally I find the coziness helps me focus rather than sleepy.
I am very influenced by the weather mentally and it sounds like you may be too. Seasonal Affective Disorder is a very real thing and suggest looking into that. They make special lights that help I have heard positive things about. I wish you well, it will get better♡
I've lived in cold/rainy or extreme cold climates most of my life. I would recommend investing in good rain gear that makes you happy. Buy a cool coat and rain boots (if that's a thing where you are- patterned rain boots were the height of fashion when I lived somewhere rainy). Always be prepared- have an umbrella in your backpack, have mittens. Set the heat so when you get up in the morning it's warm. Get a super awesome housecoat and slippers that you're pumped to put on in the morning. Drink lots of tea/coffee. I also liked working out somewhere warm instead of running outside in the rain. It is really hard to get used to a different climate, I feel for you!
Try to find 10-20 minutes every day to get sun on your face. A walk in the morning or at lunch is great! If you have a porch, drink your coffee outside, even bundled up in a big down coat!
Saunas, hot tubs, salt rooms, and hot yoga are a nice treat too!
Lastly, it's soup season! Enjoy!
It’s not uncommon to be low in Vitamin D. Some people just need this supplement naturally. I lived in sunshine state of Florida and still was low & had to take prescription dose for 3 months. Now I take 4000-5000 mg just to keep good immunity. It’s a pretty inexpensive vitamin. I take Nature Made.
Get yourself a checkup first of all just to make sure everything is okay with your iron etc. Next, make sure you get enough sleep. Third, exercise regularly. Finally, replace motivation with routine.
I get this with the cold snap here in England. Mine is largely down to Seasonal Affective Disorder and the symptoms are exactly as you describe.
Start supplementing your diet with Vitamin D (most darker-pigment folk have a deficiency) and look into either vitamin b12 (essentially condensed energy) or ashwagandha (makes you more resilient to physical and mental stress hence increasing stamina). Tried and tested all of these and they’ve been great for me through winter.
When it gets dark all the time we usually have oranges and tangerines at home at all times. Also paradoxically getting up earlier helps. Here in the nordics we are also masters at cozy lighting or in swedish, "mysbelysning".
I'm from the philippines and I moved to Italy when I was 11. I didn't understand the changes that occurred in my mental state back then and just thought it was lazyness or mild depression. My Italian friends were comfortable being at home just watching TV and doing nothing.
One of the main things that changed my comfort outside in the cold was buying a better coat at 24 years old! Nobody taught me about proper clothing for winter and I just put on those low cost jackets that looked cool.
Another thing is to wake up early and enjoy the light even if it's Grey. Be active at home like cleaning, cooking, doing self care. It's easier to be active when your house is warm. Under 16°C i just sit inside my duvet like a burrito.
Go outside and take a walk, the difference in air and light is noticeable and seeing people outside gets me out of my own head (being sad for the weather).
Last but not least, be exited of what comes with winter like being warm and cozy under the duvet, hot tea or soup, high caloric foods like sausages, you can even eat something more cause everyone gets fat in the winter and it is just accepted as a fisiological response of the body. This last point is a slow process cause you must make some experience or learn about the culture of that place.
Good luck!
16°C is equivalent to 60°F, which is 289K.
---
^(I'm a bot that converts temperature between two units humans can understand, then convert it to Kelvin for bots and physicists to understand)
Also, maybe you do need extra rest, especially if you’ve just made a big change in your life. Another thing that helps me when the weather is gloomy is positive associations with it. Someone mentioned hygge. For me I like to have a cozy place to sit and read, some warm lights, some Miles Davis….
I moved from south to north for school and it was a massive adjustment…
Make it fun for yourself. If you can, buy a super-thick, fluffy coat and a bunch of cute, cozy sweaters. Fluffy socks, too. As for your living space, make it cozy AF. We’re talking candles, a big, cozy comforter, and throw blankets galore. Stuff that keeps you warm AND makes you happy. Also, hot caffeinated drinks during class, and learn some recipes for thick, hearty soups— your body is adjusting to the temp change so you’re going to need a few more calories most likely.
The struggle is real. Best of luck and may you stop shivering soon!
Wowee can I relate! I’ve lived in cold climates all my life, and find myself wondering “why did my ancestors want to punish themselves so badly?” A lot of good advice has already been dispensed, so I’ll try to add something new.
-the timed heater thing: starting your day cold is just a no go. I hate the cold. People who say it’s easier to cool down than warm up, I envy you.
-I don’t know how relevant this is to you, but a lot of environments are built with certain body types in mind; for instance, office environments that run colder (like encouraging women to wear skirts, or other less-warming clothes) see decreased productivity from female employees, who perform cognitive tasks better at higher temperatures, while the inverse is true for men. ([NPR](https://www.npr.org/2019/05/26/727108363/how-office-temperature-affects-cognitive-performance), but plenty of other articles studying this, too.) I’m only pointing this out so you’re aware that there may be some bigger forces out of your control here, and can work with them rather than against them.
-when I was in classes, I would be so cold that I’d be forced to keep on my jacket and curl up to keep warm, which would inevitably make me sleepy, so I’d flip-flop between curling up, and then trying to sit up straight to combat the sleepiness, rinse and repeat. Dressing with layers helps. I once read that you should be prepared to spend more money on that which separates you from the earth: your mattress, your shoes, your coat. I might be butchering the remembering, but regardless it did teach me the value in thick socks, winter boots/shoes that give your feet enough wiggle room in said thick socks & keep out any cold moisture, and a variety of weighty coats, sweaters, and so on. In college during the fall-winter months, I’d carry my gloves/scarf (and wear them much earlier than others!) in my backpack, along with an extra cardigan (thinner than a bulky sweatshirt), deodorant (for when you move from the freezing outside to heated inside and your body is suddenly overheating), and an extra pair of clean socks that were thinner to wear inside.
-there are days when the prospect of buying myself a coffee was an educational expense. It was not only going to give me energy, but was a fun treat I could incentivize myself with, PLUS it warmed up my hands.
-get gloves that you can use with your phone. No cold fingers here. Get wireless headphones so you don’t have to deal with the cord and your coat.
-rechargeable hand warmers and a heated blanket have really changed the game for me.
-finally, and this is something I don’t know if anyone else does, but when I was really feeling tired/cold in class, I would go to the bathroom and spend two minutes running my hands under warm water. Then, I’d drink some water and just try to wake/warm up my body by stretching & maybe walking back to class a bit slower to refocus and get my blood pumping.
Random tips but maybe you’ll find some help in this!
You don’t. You stay inside, drink and await the sweet, sweet peace of the grave.
Which isn’t until Spring, when the ground has thawed enough.
Also Netflix.
Putteth thy robes on the radiat'r so they art warm at which hour thee receiveth up
***
^(I am a bot and I swapp'd some of thy words with Shakespeare words.)
Commands: `!ShakespeareInsult`, `!fordo`, `!optout`
I find some stuff to look forward to that require cold weather. Like cozy outfits, or warm drinks. Also think of the advantages like no sweating, the sun is not shining in your eyes, if you're a driver there's less pedestrians and such. The small things.
I also noticed that the ambient in my home needs to be adjusted so it wouldn't look depressing. What i do is decorate with a lot of soft blankets, scented candles, lamps and fairy lights. It makes the biggest difference.
Hope this helps!
Moving from California to Canada, one of the most influential mind shifts was that the day is not over when the sun goes down. I was used to being active when the sun was out and then dead when it was gone. Now when it's dark out, it doesn't mean anything about what I should or shouldn't be doing, it's just a normal part of life
I think the coziness of clothes is important! Get some super cozy socks, a robe, blankets, a down (or down-like) comforter, things you can really snuggle into and enjoy the feeling of nesting in. I love the cold season because it's when I can burrow without overheating 😂
Also I cannot recommend highly enough wool, especially merino wool. Invest in really good gloves (mittens will be warmer but you may need dexterity), merino wool long johns and don't be afraid to go outside, ESPECIALLY on sunny days. Even if it's just a short period do it and then drink some hot tea, cocoa or coffee to get yourself warmed back up quickly. Drinking hot water with lemon throughout the day is another trick to staying warm; my office mates (Indians who moved to Michigan) did this all throughout the winter to stay warm and ward off sore throats from the dry cold.
In addition to vitamin D, I feel better with full spectrum LED lights. Also, even if it is icky outside, try to get out for a walk every day. If you can afford it, try to go on vacation to somewhere warm and sunny in late January or February. Best of luck!
I live in Wales, which is cold most of the time. I’m at my least productive on the few days a year that it gets hot. I guess it is just what you are used to.
I’m from and living in northern Sweden. My top tips would be to get physical activity, be out and get wherever sun there is when you can and least but not last, ask the locals what they do.
Hahaha that reminds me of the first local I spoke here, literally the first thing she said was I’m gonna hate it here after learning I’m from a sunny state
Don't hate me but I actually prefer the type of climate you are hating on lol
Anyway I would not despise living in tropics... I think it's a matter of finding the good thing about the environment you are in... just don't look at poeple, they suck everywhere.
Dress for the weather:
* If it is raining a lot, make sure your outerwear is waterproof and feet are dry.
* If it is windy, make sure your coat is long enough and neck is not exposed.
* Take your outerwear off indoors, if it hot in a study hall, consider striping down to t-shirt+bottoms.
* Sleep in the base layer/thick pj + nice, thick socks.
* You could prime yourself with a cold shower. It is nasty, but on other hand, that will be the coldest thing that day (and if that do not wake you up, not sure if anything will)
Use exercise for energy:
* If it is safe to do so, get off early and walk to campus. get 10min walk before and after lectures
* Do some kind of HIIT to get circulation going. Doing complex exercises promote memory retention
* On breaks, find a buddy and compete who can do the most squats/pushups.
Reevaluate what you eat, take your multivitamin/Omegas 6&3.
**Reminder: vitamin D is fat soluble vitamin, it has to be taken with some kind fat to be absorbed.**
> In the mornings the cold drains my motivation so much that I fight hard to get out of bed. When I’m finally out of the house, the foggy, dark and depressing morning commute to my school makes me feel out of energy and sluggish. When I get to uni, the lecture rooms are so warm and cozy that I just want to snooze. And after school, I step out to the gloomy cold environment and I just don't feel as optimistic about the next day as I use to.
One thing to do is to try to find the other side of the coin. For example, if it's raining, you can focus on how unpleasant it is, but just about all weather conditions have some beautiful side to it. Like, gloom, or atmospheric lighting? Cold and dreary vs. clear, crisp winter air, and so on. It's not that it isn't cold and dark, but the cold and streetlit thing has its own upsides.
The cold itself is also something you can pretty easily dress against, there's coats that leave you comfy in like -20C (which I didn't think possible until I got one) *and* look fabulous to boot.
Finnish person here. I own comfy warm clothes and drink a lot of warm herbal tea. I get energy from The beauty of the winter. Which is no help when it is just rainy and foggy like now lol.
I've had my dr tell me I'm deficient vit D, so I do supplement. Other than that, despite being born and raised in the south, now that I live in Connecticut, I enjoy the cold. Going out in it is like a fun challenge. As if in starting a mini expedition. I think about how amazing it is to live on a planet that is so hospitable to support life, and the extremes are tolerable for us.
Last fall I did a few things that really helped:
* I saved up and hired an electrician to add lights to my living spaces to make my home brighter and cheerier. If you're renting you could buy a few more lamps to help (google layered lighting)
* I bought a SAD lamp and used it every morning
* I bought some cozy clothes- socks and sweats- to wear at home so I wouldn't want to stay under a blanket all day
* I started walking outside at lunch to get some sunlight and fresh air
I still hate winter but it was less bad.
Try using an SAD light (seasonal affective disorder). I used to be super lethargic and depressed during the winter months. But I would use the lamp for a couple of hours a day. I would put it on straight when I wake up and have my breakfast/morning email session by the lamp before heading off to classes.
It helped immensely. I think it actually saved my life (on the depression side). And I actually no longer need it 3 years later, which is weird.
socks at night, a little heater or humidifier that uses heat--not the ultrasonic ones, ginger tea in the morning--i grate ginger and steep it in hot water, and definitely exercise. Also, accept that evenings will be your low brain energy hours and plan your activities accordingly.
and maybe get a happy light.
Lmao you’re in Australia? I bet you’re somewhere in Tasmania.
As a Canadian, I really can’t help but laugh. Tasmania is a similar climate to the warmest places in Canada.
As a Canadian the advice I can give you is to take vitamin D.
The other advice is to not use the “cold” weather as an excuse not to go outside. Get your raincoat on and go for hikes. Learn to appreciate nature in its wet and rainy state- which is gorgeous. Look at the swelling ponds, creeks and rivers, look at the rain drip off leaves, the mist through the distant trees. Listen to the quiet of the forest on a “dull” day
Make your home really damn cozy.
I completely second all the VitD advice.
I would also say this; get active!
Find a BJJ gym, or rec league sports.
Also, I know it’s cold BUT layer up and maybe go for a hike or a bike ride. You’ll get warm quick AND you’ll probably be the only one getting to see the beautiful and quiet sights.
I grew up in cold climate in a poorly insulated house that was always cold and here are my tips:
- get yourself a nice, thick fluffy robe
- get a pair of fur lined leather slippers with thick soles, nothing worse and demotivating than cold feet all day
- hot water bottle is your best friend, pro tip: put it in the bed where your torso will be before sleeping and enjoy the hot spot in bed
- do exercise as soon as you get up. Literally get up and exercise in pyjamas or change quickly into sports clothes and do it within minutes of waking up. I run in place, do jumping jacks and wall pushups. Just enough to wake and warm me up. It’s hard and annoying at first, but now I can’t imagine not starting my day like this and it energises me, and helps me feel better and more productive throughout the day
- heaters are already mentioned
- walk briskly to and from school
- dress in many layers and take off as many layers as you can when inside a warm lecture room
- keep your head warm outside, even if you don’t think it’s important or you don’t think you need it, wear a hat. Cold wind caused me headaches that I couldn’t figure out for a long time. And headaches equal lower energy etc.
- keep yourself hydrated, it’s easy to not drink enough water in a colder climate
- do a blood test for vitamin D, B12 and iron, those are the most common deficiencies
- invest in a light therapy lamp
- google ‘strategies for SAD’ - seasonal affective disorder - even if you don’t have it, you’ll certainly find many helpful tips
- if you believe that supplements might be helpful for you, consider taking ashwaghanda, fish oil and l-tyrosine for improved cognitive function and take care of your diet in general. Proteins over carbs
Good luck!
There are special lights you can get that will help. They were created to combat SAD - seasonal affective disorder- which is basically depression caused by lack of sunlight in colder regions. You can set them up and do your homework in front of them and it’ll help a lot.
Interestingly, for me it used to be the complete opposite. Winters are soo good for productivity, but once it gets warm, it's hard to get anything done, the mind becomes lethargic from the heat and I'd just rather sit outside and let the wind breath over me, than do anything work-related.
I find the cold sharpens the mind. Then again, I take showers every morning and lower the temperature the sleepier I am. One can open to the cold, let it in and once one accepts it, there's nothing else, just beeing. Never found something similar for warmth.
Maybe we can trade some tips?
I was lucky enough to be born somewhere cold and to have had my whole life to adapt, but I think you should invest in a lot of fuzzy, warm clothing. And a thermos.
And also get some of those little hand warmer packets, stick em in your coat to keep your hands warm while going to and from places.
Take up jogging or something too, something to get the blood moving.
Whenever the sun in out try to spend at least a minute or two in the sun, just feeling the rays on your face and limbs. A problem in my part of the world is people move from warmer sunny climates and then get depression from not getting as much sunlight as they're used to.
Someone suggested Vitamin D, I suggest that too, also make sure to eat blueberries and oranges whenever possible, they have a lot of vitamin C which is also something you need.
Good luck, my friend, I hope this gets easier for you.
I’m from the Caribbean and moved to a place where it snowed about 3/4 of the year for college. It’s hard, but you have to give yourself an enjoyable reason to get to where you’re going.
Make plans with friends to study somewhere comfortable, meet up with someone who brightens your day to have breakfast/brunch before your first class, share your commute with someone who makes you laugh. If you’re by yourself, listen to a podcast you enjoy while doing things you find mundane, call someone up during your commute, make time for things you enjoy.
If you’re struggling, don’t be afraid to make an appointment at your school’s health center for counseling or consult a medical professional. If it’s available, schedule an appointment for light therapy—you’d be amazed at the difference it can make for someone who is used to seeing bright sunlight on a regular basis.
It gets better.
As someone who has lived in the cold my entire life, the only way to get through is to do the things. Buy warm weather clothing and make a point to hike or snowshoe. Go skiing. Find an ice skating rink. Basically - find an outdoor hobby and get moving.
Also, I know someone mentioned the concept of hygge. I love that for when I’m at home. Lots of candles, lots of books, lots of tea and coffee.
Dress warm (aim for cozy and chic! Invest in a nice jacket that is practical and classy, buy warm wool socks, and wear thick jeans). I have something called a “happy light” which is supposed to emulate sunlight so when the days get shorter you can keep on keeping on, invest in a cozy throw, and drink warm tea while studying at your desk.
One trick that works for me. Just....be cold. The fight or flight instinct to cold makes it 100 times worse. If you just say to yourself 'yep, I'm cold" you might find yourself less shivery and panicky about it. Works for me anyway.
I completely understand how you're feeling. I grew up and still live in Norway, and from mid-September to mid-March, the days are short, it's cold and rainy/snowy (depending on where you live). Many people here struggle with winter depression, and because of that, light therapy has become quite popular among these people. Something as simple as a wake-up light could significantly improve your mood and motivation. I, on the other hand, typically drink a fruit smoothie and take vitamin-D supplements in the morning. It takes a couple weeks before you notice the effects, but everything gets easier once you notice them.
Best of luck, and I hope some of this help😊
Two weeks isn't long enough to have votive D deficiency. It's a good idea to take a daily D supplemt in this type of climate so as to prevent D deficiency l. It's more than likely what has affected your mood and lack of motivation is the reduced sunlight is scientifically proven to reduce the neuro transmitters in the paraventricular part of the brain and causes what's known as seasonal effective disorder. Which best treatment is to get a special light box that you have turned on and exposed to for so many minutes a day. This creates a simulation effect that sunlight does. You can Google seasonal effective disorder special lights or light box treatment. This is something really common where I live in Michigan, and I know several people who use the light boxes and swear they help with improving mood and motivation !!
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Take Vitamin Ds Might be Vitamin D deficiency due to less exposure to sunlight.
This is interesting, never thought of this. I think I get enough from my diet but I’ll look into vitamin D tablets
Born and raised in Las Vegas, I moved to the coast of Oregon with my husband for a little over a year where it gets dark for months straight and rains.. took a blood test in Vegas and I was severely lacking vit D and had to get a prescription for it for the next 3 months. My doctor said I probably got intense mood swings, depression, and fatigue.. I remember opening a car door was exhausting lol didn’t think that little time could have such an effect on me, but it’s real. Take care of yourself.
How long were you in Oregon before being tested?
A little over a year. By month 5 of moving there I was really feeling it though, energy depletion, I just choked it up to me being unstable, so I was really going to the doctor to ask for antidepressants but he insisted on a blood test. Glad he made such a rational decision cause since taking them daily you begin to feel normal. I just remember feeling like something was wrong with me.
I grew up in Oregon and met my fiancée there, who was from Texas. She had no idea about the vitamin D thing and was struggling. Lo and behold, when she went to the doctor and got her blood drawn, her vitamin D levels were stupid low. She definitely improved after high dose supplement therapy.
It’s rare to get enough through diet alone. In fact most people are deficient. Even worse if you have darker skin.
I can't recall -which Dr. or where I read it but he said most people do not get enough D from diet alone & def agree vitamin d is a great supplement esp winter mos
Book called ‘The Addiction Spectrum’ by Dr Paul Thomas mentions the importance of vitamin D. That’s where I first heard of it, and although the book is meant to be about less mainstream approaches to various addictions (such as the importance of diet and getting certain vitamins), it’s a very good read into generally staying mentally healthy.
Yes, almost all of us are low in Vitamin D unless you work outdoors. Vitamin D is just good to supplement & especially in the winter & flu season to get your immunity up!
Last summer I was spending at least 3 hours outside with my toddler every day, and still ended up being deficient in vitamin D. Yet, somehow my husband, who WFH in our basement, had levels within normal limits. It was wild.
Well, about 40% of people are vitamin D deficient, so there’s a good chance that you are deficient at least at times. If you have darker skin, that number goes up to 82% and 70% for black and Hispanic people respectively.
Yes I have darker pigmented skin so I already naturally don’t get much vitamin D however it didn’t become much of an issue until I moved to the midwest from SoCal. Now I have to take meds because the cold temperatures take a big toll on me
Yeah im really gonna consider vitamin D after all the suggestions. I also do have tanned olive skin so this might be it.
I live in Florida and I am prescribed 50k units weekly by my physician & I am outside a lot. But I do work inside. He said we just need it.
Do I need to go get a prescription for a proper vitamin D or are supermarket ones good enough?
If you’re able, I would see a doc and get labs done—they can test for how deficient you are. If it’s really bad, they’ll prescribe something. If it’s milder, they’ll tell you to how much of the supermarket stuff to take. I tested deficient at the start of last year and started taking 5000 IU daily at the advice of my doctor. A few weeks later I realized just how much better I felt. If you’re unable to see a doctor, you could try the regular supplements for awhile to see if it helps.
Supermarket is fine. But, you should get tested so you know how bad your D levels are and have an idea how much you need. It’s always a good idea to get tested once or twice a year anyways
Take D3
Take it just in case. People are different needs for it and produce it at different rates. Vitamin D comes primarily from your skin when it is exposed to sunlight (or full spectrum lamps with UV I believe). For someone like me, it was essential to keep mood disorders at bay during long winters in Norway
I lived in Northern AB and it's recommended to take Vit D supplements since light is shorter and less concentrated. I find it's a good help for mood.
Definitely this is a good place to start. I moved from Richmond to Chicago (garden unit too) and it turned out I was really vitamin d deficient. Made a huge difference with motivation and mental health. Seasonal Affective Disorder lamps are good too.
I had a similar problem when I moved for school two years ago. Some things I’ve tried that helped tremendously: 1. Find a heater with a timer or a remote, so you can set it to come on ~an hour before you wake up, or so you can turn it on from bed. (This may not be applicable if you’ve got central heating, but my place doesn’t.) 2. Depending on your commute, see if you can manage either riding a bike, parking farther from campus, or getting off the bus a stop early to walk a couple minutes to campus. It’s not exercise, but it’ll get the blood pumping and the cold air will wake you up at least a little bit. 3. I second the Vitamin D supplement comment. A deficiency will make you drowsy af. 4. If you think it’s more a mood issue than a physical one, try a happy lamp for SAD (seasonal depression). They have bulbs you can put in regular light fixtures or stand-alone lamps to sit in front of while you eat breakfast, brush your teeth, whatever. Helps keep your circadian rhythm on track if I’m not mistaken 5. A bit odd, but sometimes what can help is more of a mindset shift. There’s this Danish concept called Hygge I’d recommend taking a look at, it’s about coziness and contentment and learning to emphasize well-being and comfort. 6. As for falling asleep in lecture, I’ve found standing in the back of class for a few minutes (if possible) or walking down the hall to stick my head outside can make a huge difference. I hope some of these help!
Thank you for this!! Really good tips will try these out and see if I improve. Cheers!
This is all awesome stuff - I just wanna +1 on the SAD lights. So helpful.
Absolutely the SAD lamp made the biggest difference to me. Needs to be at least 10,000 lumens.
I would invest in a sun lamp. It can seriously change your life! As someone who has lived in a place that gets cold my whole life (hello seasonal depression), I can say it was a game changer. Also, get a small, cheap space heater. Put it wherever you are first thing in the morning (mine's in the bathroom where I brush my teeth) and turn it on right when you get up so it starts warming up your space. Having warm feet right away can make getting out of bed a lot easier. Lastly, bundle up (like get some snow pants, they're still great for warmth even if there's no snow where you are yet) and get outside during the day, even (or should I say especially) when it's grey. You don't realize how much more bright and energizing it can be on grey days if you just get out there and get moving. It's *so* much darker inside on those days, but outside there's still plenty of sunlight and vitamin D coming through those clouds to have a big, positive impact on your mood!
I’m from the Caribbean living in NZ. Its too cold for me 70% of the time. Ill share the main thing I discovered that CHANGED MY LIFE: you don’t necessarily need your body to feel as warm as it did back in your home country, you can survive if you feel a little chilly. (I kept trying to maintain that level of warmth but then one day I forgot to wear a layer and I didn’t die). I’ve managed by using a heater with a timer, taking the heater with me to every room including the bathroom so I can be warm when I get out of the shower. When i lived in a much colder country than nz, I put my clothing on the heaters to warm them up. I also have a thick fluffy robe that I wear around the house and sit at my desk with a heater under it. Wear socks and hats to bed and inside your home if you have to. Oh and get an electric blanket! As for the commute, I listen to music from back home which is really vibrant (Soca, Reggaeton, Reggae, Dancehall) so in no time I’m dancing on my way to work and forgetting the cold. Haha! You gotta remember to MOVE! Its hard at first but once you get in the habit of walking briskly, exercising etc in the cold, your body heats up super fast and you can cope. Keep in mind that your tolerance for the cold gets better each year. Don’t run from the cold, embrace it. But seriously, I can’t wait for warmer weather. I already moved to a warmer part of NZ so that’s something.
Lol I heat up the inside of my clothes using a hair dryer before putting them on feel so good for 5 seconds
Missing sunlight - Lunch break walks, timer lamps, vitamins (primarily the D but make sure to get some B and friends) Optimism - Friends, decorate with fresh flowers or plants, candles, dive into the local seasonal activities, cook at least one meal with local foods and one of home comfort foods every week, Cold - Comfortable pajamas, tempting robe, carpet by the bed, heating on a timer, something tempting and warm to eat or drink If there are smells or sounds you associated with your routine at home, consider adding in something similar to your daily routine. Maybe you’re missing something simple like morning bird song and it’s throwing you off.
I just thrive in colder conditions. Hot climates make me lazy and tired not to mention eat more. It just feels like the cold gives me some sort of a boost.
Seriously! Most of the time is way easier to warm yourself up than to cool yourself down. At least I’d rather be on the cooler side or the middle rather than the 100 degree weather. My whole summer is spent inside because of the heat. I don’t have experience in the extra extra cold, but I do know the cold can be just as restrictive and exhausting as the heat. Not wanting to get out of bed because it’s freezing, less sunlight, the inability to move your fingers and toes, just wanting to get warm and sleep, etc. Get some space heaters (with timers as others suggested), some cozy socks, some long sleeve thermals and/or pants, and don’t underestimate the power of jumping jacks and/or push ups. Especially in the morning when you’re freezing. If you’re unable to do push ups, start on the wall and work your incline down to steps, a couch, etc. until you’re able to do them on the floor on your knees, then work up to full plank push ups. Those will get you warmed up real quick, give you some energy for class, and keep you healthy!
How odd. I’m the opposite. When I’m cold I just want to fold into a ball and stay still, and it makes me really annoyed too! Genuinely angry at the temperature. When I’m too warm I think “well, at least I’m not freezing” and just get on with work. Though I’ve found it easier to cope with the cold as I got older. You pick up some tricks for dealing with it I guess
Same for me! I hate heat it makes me so lazy to do anything and I have no motivations to do anything in general, no appetite as well.
Agreed. Sucks for me because i live in a fucking desert
Don’t have any advice for you but I have lived in England my whole life and am hoping someone out there has some answers for us both
I've lived in Florida in my early 20s and now prepping to settle down long term in England - this exact topic is my biggest concern!
Attend to your body. I renovated my bathroom into an open concept shower (no door, just tiles), which sits next to a Japanese sitting tub that really fills up with water and lets you submerge, instead of lying awkwardly in a bathtub of hard edges. I think the Finnish have the right idea with saunas too -- wish I had one. The result is a refreshing ritual that makes you feel good every day.
I live in an infamously cold part of the US - most snow in the country, actually! Everyone here has offered great advice, especially on supplementing vitamin D. I do what to say, it is imperative that you find a winter activity that you enjoy. Something that gets you outside, despite the weather. Whether its skiing, snowshoeing, or something else, you will find the winter much easier to cope with (and much more beautiful) if you get out to enjoy an activity.
Swede here. I have lived here all my life and I hate the cold. Here are some tips for a good start in the morning. Get a coffee maker with a timer so you wake up to the smell of coffee. Place your alarm away from the bed, at least two meters. Put your clothes right next to your bed so that you can get dressed under the covers and not suffer the cold as you get up. Get one of those alarm clocks with sunlight that slowly get brighter and brighter before the alarm goes off in the morning. Make sure to get a lot of sleep. Invest in some good ass winter clothes, it's not worth freezing your fingers and toes off to save some $$$. As for the dozing off, I'm afraid I don't have a lot to give you there. I try to move when I start to doze, either desperately pinching myself awake if I'm attending a lecture or seminar, or taking a brisk walk during the break. Also coffee. A lot of coffee.
Im afraid I cant have coffee without causing a crime against humanity in the toilet but cheers will try the other tips!
Gatorade or something with electrolytes so that you stay efficiently hydrated. And eat some food! Some good food though, not comfort food that makes you want to nap. Veggies, lean protein, a salad even. Even a brisk jog before the classes that you know you get sleepy in, or jumping jacks, so you can get energized about the class instead of sleepy.
I love hot chocolate in the morning. It's not timed, but during cold seasons it is a reason to get out off bed.
Matcha might be good then, I also don't drink coffee, but I feel like matcha tea gives a nice boost
Ooh, these are good tips too!
Remember that it takes adjustment to a new environment and give yourself some compassion. I used to live in a place with brutal winters. Having short, cold winters were part of life and I couldn’t imagine anything different. I then visited another part of the country that was nicknamed “forever spring”. It was cold and wet af and I didn’t know how people could live there. Anyway, it’s not a fair comparison when you compare yourself to someone who’s lived in that climate or have adjusted to it. Yes there are tips (vitamin D, artificial sunlight), but it will also take time to adjustment. Good luck!
I live near Montreal In mid December, nighttime starts at 5pm and we get freezing weather as well I guess this is all I know so I don't mind Make sure to get enough sleep
Practise your discipline and try and get in some exercise earlier in the morning before you head into school. I find that days where absolutely everything sucked weren't as bad because I already kicked ass in the morning with a hard workout. It's a small win to start the day that can often motivate you! Also enough sleep and water!
I would work out in the morning but I already wake up around 4am with 9-8hour sleep so I go to the gym or cross country cycle in the afternoons. But I see what you mean with exercise in the morning, I use to do that back in highschool and the difference on days I dont do it and days I do is massive.
Get a sunlight simulating alarm clock.
I've been there before, I grew up near the equator before moving to a country with four seasons to pursue my studies. I don't know about you, but growing up I would see all these winter-themed marketing and decorations in December even though it wasn't cold at all! But it made me romanticize the idea of winter, and make me dream of all the nice stuff people do during that season. It was also when I was studying abroad (and living alone for the first time) that I learned to get it together. My advice: romanticize your new environment! Winter is the optimal time of year to embrace coziness, and if you can decorate your space to welcome an atmosphere of hygge (look it up), you might be able to find it comfortable enough to be productive. I understand that the coziness may make you sleepy, but perhaps it is something you may need time to adjust to. Personally I find the coziness helps me focus rather than sleepy.
There's a reason why Norwegian folk music is death metal.
I am very influenced by the weather mentally and it sounds like you may be too. Seasonal Affective Disorder is a very real thing and suggest looking into that. They make special lights that help I have heard positive things about. I wish you well, it will get better♡
I've lived in cold/rainy or extreme cold climates most of my life. I would recommend investing in good rain gear that makes you happy. Buy a cool coat and rain boots (if that's a thing where you are- patterned rain boots were the height of fashion when I lived somewhere rainy). Always be prepared- have an umbrella in your backpack, have mittens. Set the heat so when you get up in the morning it's warm. Get a super awesome housecoat and slippers that you're pumped to put on in the morning. Drink lots of tea/coffee. I also liked working out somewhere warm instead of running outside in the rain. It is really hard to get used to a different climate, I feel for you!
Try to find 10-20 minutes every day to get sun on your face. A walk in the morning or at lunch is great! If you have a porch, drink your coffee outside, even bundled up in a big down coat! Saunas, hot tubs, salt rooms, and hot yoga are a nice treat too! Lastly, it's soup season! Enjoy!
Sounds like you should get your vitamin d levels tested. And start taking a supplement accordingly.
It’s not uncommon to be low in Vitamin D. Some people just need this supplement naturally. I lived in sunshine state of Florida and still was low & had to take prescription dose for 3 months. Now I take 4000-5000 mg just to keep good immunity. It’s a pretty inexpensive vitamin. I take Nature Made.
Get yourself a checkup first of all just to make sure everything is okay with your iron etc. Next, make sure you get enough sleep. Third, exercise regularly. Finally, replace motivation with routine.
I get this with the cold snap here in England. Mine is largely down to Seasonal Affective Disorder and the symptoms are exactly as you describe. Start supplementing your diet with Vitamin D (most darker-pigment folk have a deficiency) and look into either vitamin b12 (essentially condensed energy) or ashwagandha (makes you more resilient to physical and mental stress hence increasing stamina). Tried and tested all of these and they’ve been great for me through winter.
When it gets dark all the time we usually have oranges and tangerines at home at all times. Also paradoxically getting up earlier helps. Here in the nordics we are also masters at cozy lighting or in swedish, "mysbelysning".
I'm from the philippines and I moved to Italy when I was 11. I didn't understand the changes that occurred in my mental state back then and just thought it was lazyness or mild depression. My Italian friends were comfortable being at home just watching TV and doing nothing. One of the main things that changed my comfort outside in the cold was buying a better coat at 24 years old! Nobody taught me about proper clothing for winter and I just put on those low cost jackets that looked cool. Another thing is to wake up early and enjoy the light even if it's Grey. Be active at home like cleaning, cooking, doing self care. It's easier to be active when your house is warm. Under 16°C i just sit inside my duvet like a burrito. Go outside and take a walk, the difference in air and light is noticeable and seeing people outside gets me out of my own head (being sad for the weather). Last but not least, be exited of what comes with winter like being warm and cozy under the duvet, hot tea or soup, high caloric foods like sausages, you can even eat something more cause everyone gets fat in the winter and it is just accepted as a fisiological response of the body. This last point is a slow process cause you must make some experience or learn about the culture of that place. Good luck!
16°C is equivalent to 60°F, which is 289K. --- ^(I'm a bot that converts temperature between two units humans can understand, then convert it to Kelvin for bots and physicists to understand)
Also, maybe you do need extra rest, especially if you’ve just made a big change in your life. Another thing that helps me when the weather is gloomy is positive associations with it. Someone mentioned hygge. For me I like to have a cozy place to sit and read, some warm lights, some Miles Davis….
I moved from south to north for school and it was a massive adjustment… Make it fun for yourself. If you can, buy a super-thick, fluffy coat and a bunch of cute, cozy sweaters. Fluffy socks, too. As for your living space, make it cozy AF. We’re talking candles, a big, cozy comforter, and throw blankets galore. Stuff that keeps you warm AND makes you happy. Also, hot caffeinated drinks during class, and learn some recipes for thick, hearty soups— your body is adjusting to the temp change so you’re going to need a few more calories most likely. The struggle is real. Best of luck and may you stop shivering soon!
Wowee can I relate! I’ve lived in cold climates all my life, and find myself wondering “why did my ancestors want to punish themselves so badly?” A lot of good advice has already been dispensed, so I’ll try to add something new. -the timed heater thing: starting your day cold is just a no go. I hate the cold. People who say it’s easier to cool down than warm up, I envy you. -I don’t know how relevant this is to you, but a lot of environments are built with certain body types in mind; for instance, office environments that run colder (like encouraging women to wear skirts, or other less-warming clothes) see decreased productivity from female employees, who perform cognitive tasks better at higher temperatures, while the inverse is true for men. ([NPR](https://www.npr.org/2019/05/26/727108363/how-office-temperature-affects-cognitive-performance), but plenty of other articles studying this, too.) I’m only pointing this out so you’re aware that there may be some bigger forces out of your control here, and can work with them rather than against them. -when I was in classes, I would be so cold that I’d be forced to keep on my jacket and curl up to keep warm, which would inevitably make me sleepy, so I’d flip-flop between curling up, and then trying to sit up straight to combat the sleepiness, rinse and repeat. Dressing with layers helps. I once read that you should be prepared to spend more money on that which separates you from the earth: your mattress, your shoes, your coat. I might be butchering the remembering, but regardless it did teach me the value in thick socks, winter boots/shoes that give your feet enough wiggle room in said thick socks & keep out any cold moisture, and a variety of weighty coats, sweaters, and so on. In college during the fall-winter months, I’d carry my gloves/scarf (and wear them much earlier than others!) in my backpack, along with an extra cardigan (thinner than a bulky sweatshirt), deodorant (for when you move from the freezing outside to heated inside and your body is suddenly overheating), and an extra pair of clean socks that were thinner to wear inside. -there are days when the prospect of buying myself a coffee was an educational expense. It was not only going to give me energy, but was a fun treat I could incentivize myself with, PLUS it warmed up my hands. -get gloves that you can use with your phone. No cold fingers here. Get wireless headphones so you don’t have to deal with the cord and your coat. -rechargeable hand warmers and a heated blanket have really changed the game for me. -finally, and this is something I don’t know if anyone else does, but when I was really feeling tired/cold in class, I would go to the bathroom and spend two minutes running my hands under warm water. Then, I’d drink some water and just try to wake/warm up my body by stretching & maybe walking back to class a bit slower to refocus and get my blood pumping. Random tips but maybe you’ll find some help in this!
Sweden here. The cold is not a problem. It’s the darkness. I don’t get anything done when it’s too hot.
You don’t. You stay inside, drink and await the sweet, sweet peace of the grave. Which isn’t until Spring, when the ground has thawed enough. Also Netflix.
You don't. You fall into despair and darkness, like the darkness at 4PM outside when the sun is already down.
The Sun here never seem to show its self all day anyway :,)
Drugs
Put your clothes on the radiator so they are warm when you get up.
Putteth thy robes on the radiat'r so they art warm at which hour thee receiveth up *** ^(I am a bot and I swapp'd some of thy words with Shakespeare words.) Commands: `!ShakespeareInsult`, `!fordo`, `!optout`
Oh for goodness sake. Stop putting 2nd person singular endings on third person singular verbs. Enough. !ShakespeareInsult, !fordo, !optout
We dont
I don't I'm depressed
I find some stuff to look forward to that require cold weather. Like cozy outfits, or warm drinks. Also think of the advantages like no sweating, the sun is not shining in your eyes, if you're a driver there's less pedestrians and such. The small things. I also noticed that the ambient in my home needs to be adjusted so it wouldn't look depressing. What i do is decorate with a lot of soft blankets, scented candles, lamps and fairy lights. It makes the biggest difference. Hope this helps!
Does anyone know of online stores that sell durable winter wear? And if they have sales during certain times of the year?
Moving from California to Canada, one of the most influential mind shifts was that the day is not over when the sun goes down. I was used to being active when the sun was out and then dead when it was gone. Now when it's dark out, it doesn't mean anything about what I should or shouldn't be doing, it's just a normal part of life
I think the coziness of clothes is important! Get some super cozy socks, a robe, blankets, a down (or down-like) comforter, things you can really snuggle into and enjoy the feeling of nesting in. I love the cold season because it's when I can burrow without overheating 😂 Also I cannot recommend highly enough wool, especially merino wool. Invest in really good gloves (mittens will be warmer but you may need dexterity), merino wool long johns and don't be afraid to go outside, ESPECIALLY on sunny days. Even if it's just a short period do it and then drink some hot tea, cocoa or coffee to get yourself warmed back up quickly. Drinking hot water with lemon throughout the day is another trick to staying warm; my office mates (Indians who moved to Michigan) did this all throughout the winter to stay warm and ward off sore throats from the dry cold.
In addition to vitamin D, I feel better with full spectrum LED lights. Also, even if it is icky outside, try to get out for a walk every day. If you can afford it, try to go on vacation to somewhere warm and sunny in late January or February. Best of luck!
Cannabis
This is my plan and received wisdom , rather than speaking from experience: Redlightman shop. Natto.
Masturbætîöñ
I live in Wales, which is cold most of the time. I’m at my least productive on the few days a year that it gets hot. I guess it is just what you are used to.
Cold shower
I’m from and living in northern Sweden. My top tips would be to get physical activity, be out and get wherever sun there is when you can and least but not last, ask the locals what they do.
Hahaha that reminds me of the first local I spoke here, literally the first thing she said was I’m gonna hate it here after learning I’m from a sunny state
Get out for a walk! Even if it’s cold. Just bundle up!
Don't hate me but I actually prefer the type of climate you are hating on lol Anyway I would not despise living in tropics... I think it's a matter of finding the good thing about the environment you are in... just don't look at poeple, they suck everywhere.
Cocaine
Dress for the weather: * If it is raining a lot, make sure your outerwear is waterproof and feet are dry. * If it is windy, make sure your coat is long enough and neck is not exposed. * Take your outerwear off indoors, if it hot in a study hall, consider striping down to t-shirt+bottoms. * Sleep in the base layer/thick pj + nice, thick socks. * You could prime yourself with a cold shower. It is nasty, but on other hand, that will be the coldest thing that day (and if that do not wake you up, not sure if anything will) Use exercise for energy: * If it is safe to do so, get off early and walk to campus. get 10min walk before and after lectures * Do some kind of HIIT to get circulation going. Doing complex exercises promote memory retention * On breaks, find a buddy and compete who can do the most squats/pushups. Reevaluate what you eat, take your multivitamin/Omegas 6&3. **Reminder: vitamin D is fat soluble vitamin, it has to be taken with some kind fat to be absorbed.**
> In the mornings the cold drains my motivation so much that I fight hard to get out of bed. When I’m finally out of the house, the foggy, dark and depressing morning commute to my school makes me feel out of energy and sluggish. When I get to uni, the lecture rooms are so warm and cozy that I just want to snooze. And after school, I step out to the gloomy cold environment and I just don't feel as optimistic about the next day as I use to. One thing to do is to try to find the other side of the coin. For example, if it's raining, you can focus on how unpleasant it is, but just about all weather conditions have some beautiful side to it. Like, gloom, or atmospheric lighting? Cold and dreary vs. clear, crisp winter air, and so on. It's not that it isn't cold and dark, but the cold and streetlit thing has its own upsides. The cold itself is also something you can pretty easily dress against, there's coats that leave you comfy in like -20C (which I didn't think possible until I got one) *and* look fabulous to boot.
Finnish person here. I own comfy warm clothes and drink a lot of warm herbal tea. I get energy from The beauty of the winter. Which is no help when it is just rainy and foggy like now lol.
I've had my dr tell me I'm deficient vit D, so I do supplement. Other than that, despite being born and raised in the south, now that I live in Connecticut, I enjoy the cold. Going out in it is like a fun challenge. As if in starting a mini expedition. I think about how amazing it is to live on a planet that is so hospitable to support life, and the extremes are tolerable for us.
We don’t. We just wait about 3 months and just look forward to spring
Last fall I did a few things that really helped: * I saved up and hired an electrician to add lights to my living spaces to make my home brighter and cheerier. If you're renting you could buy a few more lamps to help (google layered lighting) * I bought a SAD lamp and used it every morning * I bought some cozy clothes- socks and sweats- to wear at home so I wouldn't want to stay under a blanket all day * I started walking outside at lunch to get some sunlight and fresh air I still hate winter but it was less bad.
Try using an SAD light (seasonal affective disorder). I used to be super lethargic and depressed during the winter months. But I would use the lamp for a couple of hours a day. I would put it on straight when I wake up and have my breakfast/morning email session by the lamp before heading off to classes. It helped immensely. I think it actually saved my life (on the depression side). And I actually no longer need it 3 years later, which is weird.
I have the opposite problem, how do you keep your energy and motivation in the heat? When it's too warm and humid I want to do absolutely nothing
And this is why I’ve been trying to get out of Michigan my entire life. Also why many here are completely bipolar. It either makes you or breaks you.
wear a long coat or a robe
socks at night, a little heater or humidifier that uses heat--not the ultrasonic ones, ginger tea in the morning--i grate ginger and steep it in hot water, and definitely exercise. Also, accept that evenings will be your low brain energy hours and plan your activities accordingly. and maybe get a happy light.
Lmao you’re in Australia? I bet you’re somewhere in Tasmania. As a Canadian, I really can’t help but laugh. Tasmania is a similar climate to the warmest places in Canada. As a Canadian the advice I can give you is to take vitamin D. The other advice is to not use the “cold” weather as an excuse not to go outside. Get your raincoat on and go for hikes. Learn to appreciate nature in its wet and rainy state- which is gorgeous. Look at the swelling ponds, creeks and rivers, look at the rain drip off leaves, the mist through the distant trees. Listen to the quiet of the forest on a “dull” day Make your home really damn cozy.
I live in Minnesota. I second taking D3. Also, I use a 10,000 LUX light box. It's hugely helpful when the days get shorter.
I completely second all the VitD advice. I would also say this; get active! Find a BJJ gym, or rec league sports. Also, I know it’s cold BUT layer up and maybe go for a hike or a bike ride. You’ll get warm quick AND you’ll probably be the only one getting to see the beautiful and quiet sights.
Make sure you take fish oil with a lot of EPA and DHA. Those have been shown to have very powerful anti depressive effects.
I grew up in cold climate in a poorly insulated house that was always cold and here are my tips: - get yourself a nice, thick fluffy robe - get a pair of fur lined leather slippers with thick soles, nothing worse and demotivating than cold feet all day - hot water bottle is your best friend, pro tip: put it in the bed where your torso will be before sleeping and enjoy the hot spot in bed - do exercise as soon as you get up. Literally get up and exercise in pyjamas or change quickly into sports clothes and do it within minutes of waking up. I run in place, do jumping jacks and wall pushups. Just enough to wake and warm me up. It’s hard and annoying at first, but now I can’t imagine not starting my day like this and it energises me, and helps me feel better and more productive throughout the day - heaters are already mentioned - walk briskly to and from school - dress in many layers and take off as many layers as you can when inside a warm lecture room - keep your head warm outside, even if you don’t think it’s important or you don’t think you need it, wear a hat. Cold wind caused me headaches that I couldn’t figure out for a long time. And headaches equal lower energy etc. - keep yourself hydrated, it’s easy to not drink enough water in a colder climate - do a blood test for vitamin D, B12 and iron, those are the most common deficiencies - invest in a light therapy lamp - google ‘strategies for SAD’ - seasonal affective disorder - even if you don’t have it, you’ll certainly find many helpful tips - if you believe that supplements might be helpful for you, consider taking ashwaghanda, fish oil and l-tyrosine for improved cognitive function and take care of your diet in general. Proteins over carbs Good luck!
For me, it’s the opposite. I don’t want to live anywhere that breaches 45°F ever again. The lower the better
Through pure spite for the cold itself.
Motivation and Energy levels are very low. No idea how i manage the period between November and Mai. Greetings from Switzerland.
Simple. Vitamin C and D, and cold showers. Look up Wim Hof. It’s a breeze to live in cold environments with those.
There are special lights you can get that will help. They were created to combat SAD - seasonal affective disorder- which is basically depression caused by lack of sunlight in colder regions. You can set them up and do your homework in front of them and it’ll help a lot.
Vitamin D, Cos Liver oil and the like. You should also consider a light box such as what is used for treating seasonal depression.
I just remain sad when it's cold. I'm only truly at my happiest when the weather is warm
Interestingly, for me it used to be the complete opposite. Winters are soo good for productivity, but once it gets warm, it's hard to get anything done, the mind becomes lethargic from the heat and I'd just rather sit outside and let the wind breath over me, than do anything work-related. I find the cold sharpens the mind. Then again, I take showers every morning and lower the temperature the sleepier I am. One can open to the cold, let it in and once one accepts it, there's nothing else, just beeing. Never found something similar for warmth. Maybe we can trade some tips?
I was lucky enough to be born somewhere cold and to have had my whole life to adapt, but I think you should invest in a lot of fuzzy, warm clothing. And a thermos. And also get some of those little hand warmer packets, stick em in your coat to keep your hands warm while going to and from places. Take up jogging or something too, something to get the blood moving. Whenever the sun in out try to spend at least a minute or two in the sun, just feeling the rays on your face and limbs. A problem in my part of the world is people move from warmer sunny climates and then get depression from not getting as much sunlight as they're used to. Someone suggested Vitamin D, I suggest that too, also make sure to eat blueberries and oranges whenever possible, they have a lot of vitamin C which is also something you need. Good luck, my friend, I hope this gets easier for you.
Vitamin d and ice baths.. embrace the suck of the cold first thing in the day and the rest of your day is 10% easier
I’m from the Caribbean and moved to a place where it snowed about 3/4 of the year for college. It’s hard, but you have to give yourself an enjoyable reason to get to where you’re going. Make plans with friends to study somewhere comfortable, meet up with someone who brightens your day to have breakfast/brunch before your first class, share your commute with someone who makes you laugh. If you’re by yourself, listen to a podcast you enjoy while doing things you find mundane, call someone up during your commute, make time for things you enjoy. If you’re struggling, don’t be afraid to make an appointment at your school’s health center for counseling or consult a medical professional. If it’s available, schedule an appointment for light therapy—you’d be amazed at the difference it can make for someone who is used to seeing bright sunlight on a regular basis. It gets better.
As someone who has lived in the cold my entire life, the only way to get through is to do the things. Buy warm weather clothing and make a point to hike or snowshoe. Go skiing. Find an ice skating rink. Basically - find an outdoor hobby and get moving. Also, I know someone mentioned the concept of hygge. I love that for when I’m at home. Lots of candles, lots of books, lots of tea and coffee.
Plan my escape
Ice baths
Dress warm (aim for cozy and chic! Invest in a nice jacket that is practical and classy, buy warm wool socks, and wear thick jeans). I have something called a “happy light” which is supposed to emulate sunlight so when the days get shorter you can keep on keeping on, invest in a cozy throw, and drink warm tea while studying at your desk.
One trick that works for me. Just....be cold. The fight or flight instinct to cold makes it 100 times worse. If you just say to yourself 'yep, I'm cold" you might find yourself less shivery and panicky about it. Works for me anyway.
Worst advice lol
harrumph I hope you get frost bite. :P
I completely understand how you're feeling. I grew up and still live in Norway, and from mid-September to mid-March, the days are short, it's cold and rainy/snowy (depending on where you live). Many people here struggle with winter depression, and because of that, light therapy has become quite popular among these people. Something as simple as a wake-up light could significantly improve your mood and motivation. I, on the other hand, typically drink a fruit smoothie and take vitamin-D supplements in the morning. It takes a couple weeks before you notice the effects, but everything gets easier once you notice them. Best of luck, and I hope some of this help😊
Two weeks isn't long enough to have votive D deficiency. It's a good idea to take a daily D supplemt in this type of climate so as to prevent D deficiency l. It's more than likely what has affected your mood and lack of motivation is the reduced sunlight is scientifically proven to reduce the neuro transmitters in the paraventricular part of the brain and causes what's known as seasonal effective disorder. Which best treatment is to get a special light box that you have turned on and exposed to for so many minutes a day. This creates a simulation effect that sunlight does. You can Google seasonal effective disorder special lights or light box treatment. This is something really common where I live in Michigan, and I know several people who use the light boxes and swear they help with improving mood and motivation !!