Senior Winter Holiday Depression

[debodun]

I think a contributing factor is that I've been sorting through old family photos. It just serves to remind me that most of the people in the pics aren't with us any longer.

There also aren't as many holiday parties for me to attend like when mom was alove. She belonged to the Grange, Historical Society and Libraby Club and each had their own festivities. Even the local seniors group is now defunct - at least they haven't had any meetings since February 2019.

 

[againstthegrain]

Thank you!

You're welcome.

 

[Teacher Terry]

I don't live in New York's snowbelt (western NY), but it's bad enough.

I lived in a small town about 5 minutes from cortland. Not sure if that’s considered the snow belt but more snow than I ever saw in Wisconsin).

 

[Meanderer]

I have heard that it helps to walk on the sunny side of the street.

 

[hollydolly]

Here in upstate NY around Christmas the sun doesn't rise until almost 7:30 am and sets before 4:30 pm.

same here

 

[dilettante]

I grew up closer to Lake Michigan than I live now.

After the plows came through the banked snow was like mountain ranges. Wild to climb on, enough to sled down, and even though we were not supposed to, tunneling into it was fun when it had the right consistency. Big hills were great sledding, and some parks even groomed their sledding hills so we'd get in line for amazing long runs or choose a smaller park with "unofficial" sledding hills without having to deal with the lines. Once in a while somebody in the family would bring out a large toboggan, and an adult or two and a bunch of kids would pack on there for a thrillingly fast run.

 

[Meanderer]

When our solar power watches stop running, then we'll worry!

 

[RandomName]

I have some stressful things going on, and feel panicky as well as sad. I tried taking vitamin D but it made me more sad. My doc then told me to try a multivitamin that had D in it, but that made me tired. So I just try to get some sunlight when possible.

My vitamin D is at 20, which is low. Supposed to be at least 30, right?

 

[dilettante]

If you are low in zinc, supplementing that might help your body use more of the D it gets from foods.

 

[dilettante]

This is OT and probably not the right thread. If somebody wants to start one for this year, please feel free: no copyright!

Do the kids here at SF organize a disorganized New Year's Eve party for those with no lives? Maybe a thread that keeps going full of messages of hope, confessions of resolutions, rib tickling and smooching, and general BS?

Maybe two threads? One for the wildcats and another for the more reserved?

 

[Nathan]

Divorce and child visitation conflict made the holidays a stressful time for me.

 

[Teacher Terry]

I grew up closer to Lake Michigan than I live now.

After the plows came through the banked snow was like mountain ranges. Wild to climb on, enough to sled down, and even though we were not supposed to, tunneling into it was fun when it had the right consistency. Big hills were great sledding, and some parks even groomed their sledding hills so we'd get in line for amazing long runs or choose a smaller park with "unofficial" sledding hills without having to deal with the lines. Once in a while somebody in the family would bring out a large toboggan, and an adult or two and a bunch of kids would pack on there for a thrillingly fast run.

I also grew up close to Lake Michigan and we did all the same things as kids. Great memories!!

 

[Jules]

TV shows, movies, media, they all tell us we’re supposed to be having a wonderful time getting ready for this festive season. If there’re isn’t much happening because family aren’t around, it’s not the same. It’s harder to feel jovial. It sure doesn’t help when the days are so short too.

 

[dilettante]

When I wasn't single it was always nice to walk through the downtown together and peer in the shop windows, look at all the decorations, or attend the big "Silver Bells In The City" event. Chilly, yes. But we bundled up and it was nice walking in the falling snow with someone holding my hand.

 

[Wayne]

No holiday blues here so far, I really do not expect any either! The worst thing so far is that Luna's my tamale supplier has so much business they will not take orders this year. Until 2024!

 

[Remy]

TV shows, movies, media, they all tell us we’re supposed to be having a wonderful time getting ready for this festive season. If there’re isn’t much happening because family aren’t around, it’s not the same. It’s harder to feel jovial. It sure doesn’t help when the days are so short too.

Since I never had happy holiday memories in the past, I don't have that comparison. I've told the cats we'll be together on Christmas and that's all I need.

As I stated though, It's got to be hard for people with past fond memories.