Tuesday GTKY

[186momx]

How do you battle the gray gloom whenever you end up having gray gloom weeks?

[186momx]

I'm in the PNW so we live in gray and gloom most of the year. We've had a lot of gray gloomy days this month. Minus the last 2 days where mother nature was giving us a fake spring. I'm finding it hard to get up and moving when its black and raining or so foggy we can't see the house across the street. I'm burning a strawberry guava scented candle at work and it makes the office smell like spring.

[mae0111]

I definitely struggle with this. Lately it seems like we can go a week without seeing the sun... and when the sun comes out, it's too darn cold to go out and enjoy it!

I've been working out every day. Most days I get up and work out before my day really gets started, but other times I just jam in a quick 30 mins on the elliptical. Yesterday I felt terrible when I woke up. I was exhausted and achy, so I didn't work out. I ended up going for a walk with DD2 and the dog later in the afternoon. It was so, so cold (around 20 with the wind chill) but I felt a LOT better after doing it. Tomorrow I need to be in the office right after I bring the kids to school, so I'll work out later in the afternoon, after our trip to the dentist.

Last year was a terrible year for me, mental health wise. I didn't work out, so I didn't feel good, so I didn't work out.... etc. January has been a much better month overall, and I've worked out almost every day. Nothing crazy - I just try to move every day.

[sdlaura]

I would have a really hard time with that. We have May gray and June gloom here and I definitely notice a change in my mood then. But we can usually go inland a bit and find sun.

[k3am]

We pay the sunshine tax. It's expensive, but we don't get much in the way of gray gloom weeks. A few days of rain here and there, but overall, we have enough good weather that when we do get rain, it's generally pretty welcome.

I have a love/hate relationship with the longer nights during winter. I never hated them until we got the dog. I always want to be an ass and not walk him because it's usually cold/dark out when I get home from work, but my best bud really needs the dang walk, so we walk. Or I hightail out of work early so I can get him out with some light.

Rainy days are easier to handle in the office than at home - I'm still able to get physical activity in by walking in the parking garage (which is a "lovely" experience but better than nothing).

186momx, I have some diffusing beads that are ginger peach that tend to make an appearance on gloomy days at work. Same concept as your candle.

[supertrooper1]

I live in the grayest part of the lower 48. I just looked it up and the sun is out only 35% of the time. It has never bothered me until this year.

I try to plan a trip in February to somewhere sunny for a few days. Exercise does help. I was on Zoloft in the past which I also think helped too.

[waverly]

There isn't much I can do. I've planned trips and they have been refreshing while I am there, but then we usually come home to snow/ ice and gray and winter is still happening, so I don't know how much it helps.

Planning a fun theater show has helped in the past sounds cheesy but we have done Disney on Ice and Medieval Times and other things, but we did a lot of shows in fall, and our schedule is all sports so I haven't planned anything this year. February has been milder lately so fingers crossed it is again this year, and January was the worst of it.

[rere]

I hate January and February. Usually March has some signs of spring to give me hope.
1. Exercise. Indoors if I have to, but if it's not too cold or windy, outdoors.

2. We have been having date night on Thursday that helps break up the week.

3. I have to do at least one social thing on the weekends. Go watch a game, shopping, girls day, and lunch with dd. Something. Dh could stay home all weekend.

4. We are usually planning or have planned our summer vacation by now, so looking at pictures, picking out clothes, planning what to do cheers me up.

5. Some self care. Message, facials, or treating myself to a nice coffee or lunch once a week.

[twinmomma]

DH and I have been pushing each other to do a Peloton ride every night. It's usually only 20-30 minutes, but forcing myself to remove my body from a blanket cocoon on the couch, put on workout clothes, and do something active has been helping a lot! I don't feel like I have to crawl into bed at 5 PM when it's dark out.

I also try to make sure I leave the house and do things on the weekends, even if its just errands. It would be so easy to just hibernate, especially on weekends we don't have the kids, and that definitely never makes me feel better.

I've also been painting my nails ridiculous bright colors and it brings me joy. Who says hot pink is only for summer?

[sdlaura]

Somewhat relevant to this thread - my puppy is currently relaxing in my backyard in the sun on a chaise lounge while I WFH today. Spoiled pup



ETA - she quickly switched to trying to eat the cushion

[dglvrk2]

Fortunately, I live in an area without much gray. We have huge windows on our main floor so I get a lot of natural light no matter the weather.

I love being outside, so I try to run outside or ski two or three days a week, even if it's not amazing and sunny. On other days, I get the dog out for a walk. On stormy days or days I am too busy to run during daylight hours, I do a peloton ride or Barre workout.

I am so thankful to have a dog who loves being outside no matter the weather. Just being around him is a mood elevator too!