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1. ws4ever
   Member Profile

   I'm sitting here in front of my bright light, cuddling with dogs and cat, just finished some good coffee. Thinking of Bellevue Botanical Garden's Garden D'Lites, knitting, visiting favorite museums and fabric stores. How do you stay positive during the winter?

   Posted 1 year ago #         

2. Carson
   Member Profile

   

   2 long weekends in Phoenix, playing golf, one in January, one in February.

   Posted 1 year ago #         

3. JanS
   Member Profile

   

   when I first moved here in January of '75 I had a really hard time with gray winters. Now I think I'm used to it. I'm definitely a summer person,love the longer daylight days. Now, I just make the most of the light when we have it, pray for sunny days, and get out when I can , even if it's raining. I have friends that I do a lot of plays with. Being social helps. I work at home, sometimes into the evenings, so getting out with friends, even if just to take a drive down Alki, is really important.

   March can't come soon enough :)

   Posted 1 year ago #         

4. EmmyJane
   Member Profile

   

   I'm glad you posted this because I had a case of the "cry at the little things" yesterday and didn't make the connection right away to the time of year.

   I cope by eating warm foods, lighting lots of candles and fires, trying to force myself to walk in the dark, and sitting with my bright light. :-)

   Posted 1 year ago #         

5. flowerpetal
   Member Profile

   

   Dinner by candlelight... every night.

   Get out of work at lunch time; otherwise I would be out in the darkness most of the days.

   Posted 1 year ago #         

6. AK
   Member Profile

   

   ws4ever - is your bright light one of those vitamin d lights? i've never been through a seattle winter and i'm a little concerned having had prescriptions for vitamin d in the past. do those things really work or are they bogus?

   Posted 1 year ago #         

7. JoB
   Member Profile

   i go all the places that are too crowded with tourists in the summer :)

   Posted 1 year ago #         

8. ws4ever
   Member Profile

   My lite is a huge box, >20 years old. My intuition tells me a person requires exposure to actual outside light for vitamin D activation but others prob. know more re this topic.

   There's just a vague sense of well-being after using it. I know that after November 15 (or sooner, this year) I need this light or my mental processes slow down and I never quiet feel awake until late spring. My cat craves it also!

   Posted 1 year ago #         

9. datamuse
   Member Profile

   

   Get outdoors as much as I can in spite of the weather. Candlelight and bonfires. Booze. Hey, it works for me.

   Posted 1 year ago #         

10. Genesee Hill
    Member Profile

    

    I force myself to do a walk; one can usually avoid the rain if one watches the radar on the Weather Channel. The West Seattle peninsula is easily seen on their radar...

    Sit out on the patio and listen to music on the somewhat rare sunny days.

    Watch good TV in the afternoons, eg, today there was a great show on BET about Rosa Parks...

    Posted 1 year ago #         

11. JanS
    Member Profile

    

    datamuse...I'm liking that booze idea - lol...

    Posted 1 year ago #         

12. tanyar23
    Member Profile

    I love to go to the butterfly exhibit which is 85-90 degrees inside with tropical plants and brighter lights. Hope that helps!

    Posted 1 year ago #         

13. JanS
    Member Profile

    

    tanyar23...what a great idea !!!!

    Posted 1 year ago #         

14. redblack
    Member Profile

    

    the missus and i went to hawai'i on thanksgiving day for a week about 10 years ago. and we had thanksgiving dinner at the grand hyatt! my batteries were charged until june.

    i recommend it highly. great weather and almost no other tourists to contend with.

    since then, i just stay positive - music helps! - and work on enough indoor home improvement projects to keep me busy. it keeps the house tidy and keeps me off of the couch until spring.

    Posted 1 year ago #         

15. tanyar23
    Member Profile

    Oops, it's at the Pacific Science Center--the Butterfly exhibit.

    Posted 1 year ago #         

16. Kevin
    Member Profile

    If you are a red head (like me) - this is the time of year that red heads LIVE for. They can go outside with no fear of being sun burned, and not having to get all gooped up with sun screen!

    I also agree with JoB that this is a great time to get out and enjoy the city without the lines and the crowds. Always plenty of parking at Alki and Lincoln Park.

    Or find a good spot to park on Beach Drive and watch the waves pound the sea wall from the comfort of your car. Kind of like going to a drive-in move, well sort of anyway :)

    Last but not least - cheer up. Once we reach December 21, the days start getting longer again.

    Posted 1 year ago #         

17. ws4ever
    Member Profile

    Yep! Just trolling for new ideas. I knew this group would have good input. Love the butterfly exhibit idea!!!

    Posted 1 year ago #         

18. Escondido
    Member Profile

    Pulp fiction....lots of it

    Posted 1 year ago #         

19. BigPhil
    Member Profile

    Maybe there's something with my genetics. I am finding myself with more energy and better mood here in the gray than I did other places in the sun. I think it's because being hot irritates me more than anything else.

    That said, if I had a reaaaaaly down day I could always fix it with a cigarette, energy drink and Chipotle burrito. The first and last are limited to once a month at most, which means its really once every 2-3 months, so they're very effective - no tolerance. Nothing like serotonin and dopamine to getcha in the right state of mind.

    Oxytocin ain't bad either, if you know what I mean. A lot harder to come by ;)

    Posted 1 year ago #         

20. yeah-me
    Member Profile

    

    Put on some comfortable sweats, turn on some good music, pour a glass of wine -- and CREATE! I love to paint, scrapbook, work on digital media (make a photobook on Shutterfly).. etc.

    You feel warm and you also have a creative outlet.

    Posted 1 year ago #         

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