When this time of year rolls around I always have a tough time. It’s dark when I get up, then it’s dark again by 4:30 in the afternoon. Seems my body really wants to hibernate, I’m tired all the time, feel like crap most of the time, I’d rather curl up on the couch than do anything. I’ve been using a lightbox a little in the mornings, but am not sure that helps much. It really seems to be getting worse as I’m getting older. For sure getting outside helps, but there has to be more.
Just wondering what everyone does to beat the winter blues?
I moved to California in 1994 and it helped a lot!
Of course the sun still rises and sets about the same time as it does for you, but we get a lot of sun during the warmer half of the year.
Keep up the light box, and possibly check to make sure your blahs aren’t from something more medical, like a thyroid imbalance or something. Ride more.
I have this issue too and some years it’s worse than others. This year I definitely hibernated. I gained 30 pounds and didn’t socialize very much. However, I start to get invigorated once we pass the shortest day of the year and especially after New Year’s Day even though the changes aren’t very big. It helps that I live in a place that pushes 300 sunny days a year (which is why I live here). It also helps if you have someone dragging you out to do things. I’m a big proponent of fake it till you make it. Even if I don’t feel like going out I usually feel better once I’m out there doing something. Try to get out and practice the unicycle for 30-60 minutes when you otherwise wouldn’t. Try to find a dry place, put on some music, and just practice riding slow and straight and stalls. This is simple, but always good to work on. Small steps.
I spent four years practicing my flying.
Starting off with simply jumping, worked steadily through gliding and before I knew it soaring above the clouds.
I try to migrate most years but recently work has kept me grounded.
That being said, I am in a really good head space at the moment.
Believe you me.
Really hate how there is almost no sunlight. Also really hate biking to work in the cold and dark in the morning. Music definitely helps like waaalrus said.
In late January I will be moving back to Erie for school. Lake Effect? Ugh. Snow is fun the first couple times, but after that… It is just cold and miserable.
How did you get past the whole “Throwing yourself at the ground and missing” part?
That seems to be my one big struggle. Otherwise, I’d have it perfected.
The same thing here. I am 38 years old and I too have always felt this way but more so as I grow older. I too have considered light boxes. Are they expensive? I also bought a CD on amazon called “soothing air conditioner”. I play it on a continuous loop through out the night and it relaxes me as it reminds me of summer nights. Also it blocks out other annoying sounds early in the morning like yelling GarbageMen throwing cans. Good luck I know how you feel. S.A.D.- seasonal affective disorder is a real thing. If things get worse I would suggest talking to a doctor. Depression can be a serious matter and in some cases medication may be helpful. See you at the beach soon my friend.
Not the thread for you then. I don’t understand why you would even bother to write that here. Oh I’m sorry, HAHAHA good one. Get Lost. Just go start an I love winter thread. It would be cool man, trust me. You’ll fit in too. Talk about snow and stuff. Alot of people like ridin uni’s in the snow on trails and such. Really, why put you’re feeble 2 cents here? Whatever… I guess winter’s got you bored.
I’m still not sure about the whole light box thing. I do think it helps a bit, but I may not really be using the best way possible. I know when I wake up feeling like crap it does help me feel a bit better. I got a HappyLight by verilux, it was somewhere between 100-200 bucks I think. Getting outside is really the thing that makes me feel the best. Yesterday It was sunny and I managed a couple hours outside in the sun, it helped me quite a bit. I’m just comming off a bad trip on antidepressants, I’m NEVER going on that stuff again. Really tweaked me out in a bad way, I think in a few months I may feel normal again.
Don’t mind KnoxUni, he’s just acting his age He doesn’t mean anything bad by it.
Yeah I hear you. Coming off ant depressant meds can be very tough. You need to ween off slowly. I take Zoloft for about 2 years now and it has helped immensely. I also have been making a conscious effort to pray more. I have overcome the death of my brother, alcoholism, and smoking. Life is a wonderful thing to have. If God could get me thru that back then, I’m sure winter will be just a minor nuissance that we will eventually figure out inventive ways to deal with. Thanks for the advice on the Light Box.
It’s cool, no need to apologize. I just take things too seriously sometimes. In fact, in all reality, taking things too seriously and being a unicyclist is sort of like an oxymoron or something. My lesson learned. Unicyclists are good people, even the one’s who like winter. Thanks Knoxuni.
Yeah, I have been, very slowly. They work for a lot of people, and sounds like you were in a situation that called for them. The nice thing about winter is that it isn’t that long. One day at a time, luckily I have a lot to keep me busy and time keeps flying.
Snow is fun the first couple times, but after that… It is just cold and miserable.
