I live in Minnesota and my mood/anxiety gets noticeably worse November through February. It's March now and I'm already dreading next winter. Have folks dealt with seasonal stuff and found anything helpful?
SAD is real and underdiagnosed in dads especially. Light therapy helps, outdoor time even on gray days helps, and exercise is huge. But if it's severe, talking to a doctor about it is worth it - it's a real thing, not just seasonal grumpiness.
SAD (seasonal affective disorder) is legit. Have you talked to your doctor about it? There's actual treatment options - light therapy, vitamin D (which seems simple but actually matters), and sometimes people do better with therapy or meds in winter. March is early but starting prep now for next winter is smart.
Dude the fact that you're dreading next winter in MARCH shows how bad it gets for you. That's worth bringing to a doctor. SAD is treatable and you don't have to just white-knuckle through 4 months every year.
I'm in Minnesota too and can 100% confirm the winter spiral is real. What helped me: getting outside even when it's cold (seriously), light lamp, making sure I'm exercising even though motivation is zero. Also being honest with my wife about needing extra support Nov-Feb instead of trying to push through it alone.
Seasonal depression is real and the Minnesota winters are BRUTAL. I'm in Wisconsin and I dread November every year. Light therapy lamp in the morning actually helped me more than I expected - like 10,000 lux for 20-30 minutes. Not a cure but it shifted something. Started using mine in September/October preventatively and it helped.
Have you tried getting outside more even when it's cold? I know it sounds stupid but 20 minutes outside in daylight (even gray daylight) helped more than I expected. The cold part sucks but the light thing is real.
Yes. Minnesota winters are the actual worst for this. I do a light therapy lamp starting in September now instead of waiting until January. Also vitamin D supplements. And honestly, just accepting that my mood will be worse and planning easier things during that stretch instead of fighting it.
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Fellow Minnesotan here. Got a sunrise alarm clock and started taking vitamin D in August. Changed my life. You dreading it in March is actually good - start prepping now instead of being blindsided in November.