Dealing with the dreary, dark day blues...

As winter arrives and the days get shorter, it gets harder and harder to remain positive. There is no way to explain it and no way to indicate the exact time it happens, but it does, the grey dreary weather just gets us down.

Those early morning runs and evening sessions that we got used to doing in the light, are now done in the dark, and it can be tough. Whilst the only thing that has changed is the light, the sessions seem to get harder.

It affects a lot more of us that we say, but we shouldn’t be embarrassed by it. Instead, we should open up and help each other.

So, what do I do to combat the winter blues.

Make the evenings cosy.

​When I get home after a session or run on a dreary day, it can seem very miserable and mood dampening when I look outside and it’s dark at 5 o’clock. Therefore, I always do my best to ensure that the evenings are as cosy and enjoyable as possible. The majority of the time, my evenings are spent doing work, but I make sure I make this enjoyable. I’ll turn on a nice warming lamp, put on a cosy onesie, and make myself a nice warming drink. I try to do little things that I know will put me in a good mood. This may just be taking the time to cook something I really enjoy for dinner. Whatever it is, I try to make the dark evenings seem as bright as possible by having something to look forward to, such as putting on my onesie! Maybe for you this is having a bath and catching up on a tv programme you missed earlier in the week, whilst you go through your emails.

Get out during the day when you can. 

I personally don’t like doing my sessions in the dark evenings and getting home late, when I can do them earlier in the daylight. If you can, even if it means getting your run done in your lunch break, get out in the midday light. Even if it is grey and rainy if you can get your training done in the light of day you’ll enjoy it a lot more. If I’ve got a session in the afternoon, I try to complete it before it gets dark. That way I have the evening to relax before I go to bed, and I’m not rushed to fit everything in before I go to sleep.

Partner up. 

​If you are struggling with training in the grey dreary weather, brighten it up my finding a friend to go with you. Whether you are doing an easy run and are able to have a chat, or you’ve got a session and won’t speak, just having someone there with you so you aren’t alone can make the whole session seem a lot easier. It’s nice to feel as though you aren’t the only one struggling with the arrival of winter.

Talk about how you feel. 

Finally, and most importantly, talk about how you are feeling. ​It’s ok to find it difficult to stay positive in the winter, you are not alone. I find myself feeling emotional, sad, and anxious, for no reason. I know it’s because of the darker days, but it can be a struggle to get yourself out of that mindset. So, don’t be afraid to talk about how you are feeling because it is highly likely that the person you are talking to will be feeling the exact same way as you. If we talk about it, we no longer feel alone, and we can all help cheer each other up. Its normal for your mood to be affected by the seasons, my definitely is! I just work to stay positive.