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[Katherine]

Does anyone else’s mood dip when the sun goes down at 4 or 5pm? It doesn’t seem to affect me if it gets dark at 6 or after. It’s more pronounced for me this year probably due to personal problems. I feel so
Much better when it’s sunny than when it’s dark. And there’s months of this to come 

[Losingtheplot]

Does anyone else’s mood dip when the sun goes down at 4 or 5pm? It doesn’t seem to affect me if it gets dark at 6 or after. It’s more pronounced for me this year probably due to personal problems. I feel so
Much better when it’s sunny than when it’s dark. And there’s months of this to come 

Hi Katherine

I totally sympathise I detest the dark nights too defo affects my mood and wellbeing. I crave the sun and find this time of the year difficult too due to the dark gloomy weather. I am focusing on trying to listen to uplifting music to try and turn a brighter spin on the darkness and find exercise helps lift my mood. Big hugs we will get thru it. If your having personal problems too seem worse when no sun to cheer you up. Hope everything sorts out for you xxx

[sheila99]

I hate this time of year, I always feel miserable. It's dark and cold and when the colds and chilblains start. And as you say there's months of it to come  . A nice sunny day lifts my mood too. Perhaps the rain has contributed this year too, even when it's light there's no incentive to go outside to get wet. Roll on spring.

[Katherine]

Does anyone else’s mood dip when the sun goes down at 4 or 5pm? It doesn’t seem to affect me if it gets dark at 6 or after. It’s more pronounced for me this year probably due to personal problems. I feel so
Much better when it’s sunny than when it’s dark. And there’s months of this to come 

Hi Katherine

I totally sympathise I detest the dark nights too defo affects my mood and wellbeing. I crave the sun and find this time of the year difficult too due to the dark gloomy weather. I am focusing on trying to listen to uplifting music to try and turn a brighter spin on the darkness and find exercise helps lift my mood. Big hugs we will get thru it. If your having personal problems too seem worse when no sun to cheer you up. Hope everything sorts out for you xxx

Thanks losingtheplot, I am going to try and get outside and exercise first thing every morning if I can as I know it would help me feel better but it’s hard getting out of a warm bed. I need to find things to distract me, to make plans for when it gets dark. I’m hoping to start on testosterone in December so that might help. We can support each other on here. I’ve got 2 big things coming up in November and December but hopefully things should start moving forward after that. Xxx

[Katherine]

I hate this time of year, I always feel miserable. It's dark and cold and when the colds and chilblains start. And as you say there's months of it to come  . A nice sunny day lifts my mood too. Perhaps the rain has contributed this year too, even when it's light there's no incentive to go outside to get wet. Roll on spring.

Here’s to more sunny days Sheila. I find it helps a bit to make sure I get outside in the daylight every day and take photos then when it gets dark look back on them and remind myself my good mood will come back.

[Elliebee]

My mood is lower this time of year and my anxiety increases. Trying to manage things naturally and exercise etc. Any tips on natural supplements would be welcome.

[Katherine]

My mood is lower this time of year and my anxiety increases. Trying to manage things naturally and exercise etc. Any tips on natural supplements would be welcome.
[/quot

I find magnesium is essential if anxiety and sleep are an issue and vit d3 for energy. Eating fresh salmon helps me too so I guess fish oils might help too. And vitamin c is another biggie. Even though my diet is pretty healthy I have always noticed a big difference when I have started to take any supplement. Vit b12 for concentration.

[Gnatty]

Katherine this happened to me quite badly last winter. I noticed it was like a feeling of dread as the light levels dropped. The thing that helped was to to distract myself during that hour or two with say reading a book - and this is the important part - with the curtains closed so that you don't see the darkening. Once it was properly dark I seemed to be ok again. It was just the dreaded dusk.

[CLKD]

Me too, hate it.  Mainly because these weeks lead up to the dreaded time for me.  C.mas 

[Taz2]

I'm the opposite and love the short dark days. I'm back to front! Reverse SAD. I read a brilliant book called Wintering last year which I gave to my SAD affected friend to read. It's about how all seasons have their place and Winter is a repairing and quiet time and we should be kind to ourselves. Easier to do if you're not dealing with wintry motorway conditions driving to work or stood at a freezing bus stop I think!

The other thing is that for people with advanced dementia the changing of the light as night comes in can cause real agitation and fear. This is termed Sundowning. I feel that this may affect people without dementia too. Gnatty your comment about closing curtains beforeit is dark is definitely advised in dementia homes for those affected so I understand that would work to combat the uneasiness felt by those not affected by dementia too. I love to have the curtains open until it is totally dark as I love to sit with my cuppa and watch the daylight fade. I also love to go for my daily walk just as it's getting dusk in the winter. Very atmospheric especially with the owls hooting away.

Taz x

[CLKD]

I think too it depends where we live.  When in Lugano in the 1970s, sitting on the Prom in balmy warmth as dusk arrived watching the lights pop on from the properties on the opposite mountain, plus the car headlights weaving down the roads was quite romantic: imagining what each house holder was doing to prepare for the evening. 

It would be the same 4 me if we lived with a view: especially facing West.  When we lived in Wales on the coast we would often stay until dark, weather allowing, as the sun disappeared.  Here though, where it's traffic and housing estates, isn't the same at all.

Interesting about Sundowning.  I've waded through a book this week set in Colombia where there is a genetic link to Alzheimer's ........

When I build my bungalow  it will have a bathroom with clear sky lights so that I can watch all weathers from the warmth of the bath ;-)

[Dierdre]

That's a nice way of thinking, will definitely try this when I get back from holiday. Still light here till 6.30pm so will be a bit of a shock when it's dark at home at 4.30pm.

[Katherine]

 CLKD I felt like I was reading a lovely novel when I read your last post 

For me the way I feel about the dark evenings reflects my state of mind I think. Not too long ago when things were good it wasn’t even a thing but now things are a struggle it’s affecting me. I guess I will adapt though, hopefully.

Good point Gnatty. It’s funny the other night when it really got me down I was working at my desk which faces the window so I saw the transition from light to dark. So I might close the curtains before it starts and get some nice fairy lights for my office.

[Katherine]

Today was cold and rainy, and I had to nip out, so this evening was better, feeling glad to be back in my cosy light house. I’ve also decided to buy some new novels, which I find are a great way to lose yourself for a while.

[Ju Ju]

DH suffers from this. I think it’s called SAD. He mutters about the days getting shorter, so it’s a relief when winter solstice come and the muttering changes to the days are getting longer! I invested in one of those light lamps recommended for SAD sufferers for his office, which he says helps. I enjoy pulling the curtains together shutting out the darkness and feeling cosy.