Do You Suffer The Blues

[nicebloke1]

The winter blues, if so what efforts do you attempt to eradicate them, if any.

[brainiac]

Yes, I do.  Long walks, every day - always make me feel better

[nicebloke1]

Could the blues be even worse this year due to such a grey and murky summer.

[davebro3]

I have one of the "replacement sunlight" SAD lamps on the wall by my computer. Not used it for a couple of years & not sure it had any effect when I did.

I've started swimming a couple of times a week.

[ToraToraTora]

I do find the dark evenings a bit depressing especially when it's dark at just after 4pm. You look at the time and think 6 months ago it was considered mid afternoon and bright day light. I find a nice bottle of red helps!

[pastafreak]

I bit the bullet and bought a SAD lamp in the black Friday sale last year. I'd say it made a difference. It's time to get it out again. I also take high dose vitamin D during the winter. I used to walk more, but bad knees and a lack of a dog means I don't. I know I should...

[gingejbee]

I don't but know somebody who does. They use a SAD lamp every morning, Nov to March. It does seem to help.

[Maydup]

It comes and goes with me. The sudden change of light as we alter the clocks always makes me miserable; then I seem to pick up as the autumn colours shine so beautifully.

December is the worst time as I'm not a fan of the build up to Christmas but I make a point of enjoying the day after the shortest day!

Then it's January and it's soon starting to get light again. I love January! The bulbs are peeping through, life is quiet and peaceful, it's OK to stay home and read or do an indoor hobby.

[jno]

a nice bottle of red helps

and don't forget to eat your greens, TTT

[Canary42]

After 82 years I'm well used to it and remain unaffected.

[jourdain2]

This afternoon I've been for a 'sound bath' - gongs and things. It is an hour and a bit of total relaxation at a local village hall. Life has been hugely stressed and many continue - but I feel back on balance. The sounds carry you away.

[ToraToraTora]

sound bath? Sounds like a racket!

[jourdain2]

No  TTT. Someone I know has traded in eastern goods & artefacts for many years and became interested enough to train to enable him to do this. It is an earner for his retirement and it works! £12 fo 1 1/2 hrs isn't exorbitant! 

You have to be in touch with your own body and emotional state of course. It works for me.  Doesn't work for OH, but he enjoys the total relaxation.

[jourdain2]

^^^ Some sounds are very quiet.

[Smowball]

What's a sound bath??

[jourdain2]

Different gongs and resonances, Smow, intermixed with sounds from drawing something like a drum-beating fluffy stick around different sized porcelaine bowls, bells are involved too and some woodwind notes.  It really is amazing.  The sounds produced seem to affect your brain and carry you away, sometimeslike soft ripples of surf on a beach, others so loudthat your muscles are almost jumping (mine actually did last time). 

So hard to describe.  You lie on a lounger or padded mat, wrap yourself in a blanket and place an eye cover on if you wish (all supplied). Stunning relaxing and rejuvenating.  My friend charges £12 and uses local village halls as venues.

Stunningly relaxing and healing