Tips for Beating the Winter Blues

[thekrez]

This is my first experience of a Northern Hemisphere winter (having lived in Australia before) and jesus its depressing.

At least if I was in America I could drive around in my SUV with the heating at full blast, the Star Spangled Banner at full volume, fill up with the cheapest petrol in the world and return to my 4 bedroom house for one person and turn the central heating up to tropical levels while watching Fox News and going "YEAH f*** YEAH INVADE THOSE GOSH DARNED TOWEL HEADED CAMEL JOCKEYS YEAH!!!!"

Unfortunately Im in London, which means I have a good dose of Commonwealth scarcity, English humour, and general lack of space or resources.

It is SO freaking depressing getting to work and it looks like its 5pm already. Ive had the mild flu twice which Ive only barely staved off by killing every organism in my system with leftover antibiotics (yes yes I know I shouldnt but I was DYING do you hear, DYING).

How do you denizens of the Northern Hemisphere beat the winter blues? Tips? Tricks? I love running outside which usually gives me a high but its to freakin cold to run.

Curse you Jack Frost, curse you I say!!!!

[Ave`]

1)sitting around in a warm kotatsu
2)buying expensive coats and boots(it makes going out worthwhile)
3)baking cakes
4)having friends over for poker
5)taking Piriton everytime I think Im going to be sick, passed out for a few hours and wake up feeling fine, everytime.

*repeat

[avax]

Ok. I wrote something out and it got lost so too bad. This one has a lot less detail.
Go for a flu shot. It's not 100% effective but it's pretty damn effective. While others were hacking and doubling over, I was floating around doing my thing. Recommend it to all travelers too. Lasts for a year.

I'm not sure what you mean winter blues. There are many things to do. Do you have too much time on your hands? I can list a long list of places and events going on right now, but it isn't London. I can imagine the plethora of things to do. Who has time to think about the weather?! Oooh and by the way we just had our first snow/frost overnight last night.

I would dissuade anyone from driving. Not only is it s***ty weather, it's unnecessary unless the venue you're trying to get to is inconvenient. Transit anywhere and everywhere, 'open your big ball eyes' as my mother used to scream at us when we didn't notice something we should have. I still drive because it's theraputic, the same way dishwashing is theraputic for some reason, but driving detaches and is a definite blues-inducer. I don't get it. There are lots of things and people to connect with when not driving. Transiting is not only environmentally friendly (yes, mr. rolly eyes, I see you), it also forces you to manage your time and really value every minute you have.. not transiting. While still appreciating the longer ride for other reasons anyway. Get out of your bubble. And don't always go to the same places, or go out with the same people unless you really really like them.

Oh I am also putting together a catalogue/menu on my laptop. It is part of my plan to stop eating out so much and to channel my killing need to create. I don't do much fine art these days. I like cooking for others also, but not everyone is as adventurous with their tastes - although I am winning them over. One meal at a time.. haha (umm..no one has fatally expired yet, though I have observed some contented temporary expirations).

Also keep in mind lots of things are coming up around the xmas season. Orchestras, opera houses, galleries, restaurants/lounges/bars. Check out opening nights for some of the newer spots in town. There's always a dessert or a dinner to be had somewhere with someone. Why don't you book yourself in for a spa afternoon and if you can't warm up, get someone to warm you up. Most decent mid-range ones can't go more than $60 for a full swedish massage. I went to a bizarre but enjoyable thing last week - traditional jazz orchestra + very contemporary/monkey sounding choir. As a sidenote, the person I went with is now sick with the flu while I am not. Get the shot! This thursday there's a dance session (contemporary dance) practically around the corner. Between all this and work, and work/networking, plus 4 fulltime courses at school, there's only enough time to enjoy the winter! Oh and ski/snowboarding season is starting soon for all you mountain riders.

Oh yea and bloody hell, why don't you take a weekend trainride to a different country in Europa? Give yourself something to be excited about. Eat properly when you can also. I notice I eat up to twice or three times the usual amount during the winter. My staples are fish and whole wheat grains. Don't run outside if your body's combating a cold, silly. Drink lots of hot water and add a tad of honey and/or lemon. Or just hot water.

If you're feeling cold, it's probably because your brain's freezing over from inactivity. Come on, you can do better than that.

[fatcat]

I hate the short days. The cold doesn't get to me so much as as the lack of daylight.

I think I need a UV lamp...

[~bep_pu~]

depression.

[viruslabrat]

Well, you can beat the winter blues by moving to Perth, ***Australia***. Here the average maximum temperature for winter is a toasty 19 degrees celsius.

DOMINATED.

[saeka]

Im going to make a snowman when it snows more

[Aiko]

"masturbate feverishly"

[Aiko]

^Nervous laugh because it was too true to heart? j/k haha. Zoff has ladies all over him. He doesn't need to masturbate at all.

[xandra]

i end up sleeping more. and eating more. and going out less.

sorry, i'm not much help on that front. i hate the winter.

[Altan]

A big stack of books. How did all those Russians get so smart. Indoors alot during the long winters. Go hit the slopes and hang out at the fireplace, sauna or hotspring. Drink lot's of tea and think it's one of my favorite times.

[halfbreed]

Playstation, Xbox or Nintendo. Games are good for forgetting the world around.

[daisypukes]

When I looked at the home screen for the forums, this was the last thread posted in general, and the screen said:

on Today at 4:15pm
by Mr. Zoff
in Tips for Beating the W...

and I thought it was going to be a thread on how to most efficiently beat your wife.

[9ball]

^I thought the same thing!

[halfbreed]

Zoff is now a stoner, alcoholic AND wife beater! Iris...