British winters are not my favourite... (so here's how I survive)

[@AdventuresAndNaps]

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[@richardbeaton7324]

You should get into cycling darling, It's the best exercise on par with swimming and is great for mental health. The breeze in your hair etc especially in summer. It's beautiful. :)

[@frederickwoof5785]

I went into the garden today and pruned the trees back. A Robin started following me around singing. That made it worthwhile. 😊

[@AdventuresAndNaps]

So lovely!

[@erikdalna211]

I had a similar experience during the winter misery and another robin beat the crap out of it. I was shocked. Robins are wankers.

[@mothmagic1]

@@erikdalna211 They are aggressively territorial which is why they seem to be bullies.

[@affalaffaa]

@@erikdalna211 They just don't care that you witness their shortfalls. Every other animal you like is exactly the same, they are just more sneaky about the situation. I like robins because they don't care that humans are at the top and seem willing to take over the top spot when it all goes south for us, which could be quite soon.

[@kevinfairclough4619]

@@affalaffaaI Aves have their own ways, nothing to do with us humans. We enjoy watching them (I do at least) but their behaviour to their own is nothing to do with humans. Not saying they don’t adapt their behaviour, but it’s not for our benefit

[@madcatdad42]

It's how we tell what time of year it is cold, wet, and windy. = winter warm, wet, and windy =summer.

[@spacechannelfiver]

mild, wet, windy = all year round

[@Rr0gu3_5uture]

I'm on the West Coast of Scotland. During the winter months I'm really grateful that the previous owner of my small flat installed a really good Multi-fuel stove. I can cozy up to a real fire, and also use it for cooking soup. Plus, the old bloke upstairs gets a free heat! I find that having a real fire in the living room during the grim winter months really does have a significantly positive psychological effect.

[@imogenharrison3432]

I have a friend here in the UK from Mongolia. She also hates the UK winters. She is used to -40 in Mongolia but still swears our winters feel colder. All to do with the Humidity being surrounded by water. It's a damp cold and not a dry cold, that can make your joints ache.

[@AdventuresAndNaps]

Yes totally!!

[@mothmagic1]

Oh how I agree.

[@suttoncoldfield9318]

I work as a cleaner early mornings, these damp frosty days about minus one, minus two (°C) other cleaners originally from Poland arrive to sign in, saying "brr, is cold yes" and I'm like, "You're from POLAND - it's NOT cold!!!"

[@bimblinghill]

This is a serious thing. In military exposure training (so I'm told) they train you to take the temperature range between about 0 and +5 very seriously. Damp clothing & sleeping gear leads to a very serious risk of hypothermia.

[@cultfiction3865]

Also UK is known for the amount of windy days it gets. Often even in July. And sometimes those are arctic winds and can really make it feel perishing worse than -15 temperatures. The numbers are just numbers, like all stats, they dont give you the full story

[@cerbuscankerous3714]

A friend of mine has the same problem with winter depression, he was told to use the SAD lamp like an alarm clock, have it come on via a timer so it's shines on you prior to waking up and a while after. He says it made quite a difference.

[@Brian3989]

I didn't like winters here in England 70 years ago, but am grateful for modern clothing that is better at keeping me warm. Central heating and double glazing keep home warmer, no longer ice on inside of windows during winter.

[@StephenButlerOne]

I can remember in the 80s and there was ice on the inside of the windows in the winter, and that line of black rot/mold along the bottom for each window. In 2006 we moved into our current house and even though it had double glazing, it had no gas so no heating, and we spent 3 winters without central heating. We are up on a large hill (mountain) and our gable faces the Irish sea, so there is nothing between our house and the sea, so this house was so cold before we had the heating installed. We would sit with quilts on the coach and bobble hats on. We would sleep in the hats too through December and early Jan. I don't remember being as cold when sleeping in a snow hole in Norway, as I was in this house then.

[@wolfie854]

Yes I realise now I spent most of my childhood and young adulthood being cold and wet in the winter. Thank goodness for modern housing and clothing!

[@etherealbolweevil6268]

Perpetually wet back in the day (50's 60's) wet shoes, wet socks, wet trousers (shorts), wet coat, wet pullover, wet shirt, wet underwear. Get home, take everything off put on dry indoor clothes, put wet stuff to become less wet. Eat hot food. Take off dry clothes, put on wet clothes, go outside again. And damp bedding. Only heat in the house one coal fire in the back room, usually surrounded by clothes stands drying things off. Summer pretty much the same, but without the benefit of the fire. Although I miss the indoor ice on frosty mornings. (Some associate this with atmospheric testing of nuclear weapons.)

[@fools_opinions]

I had that in the 90s because our council house still had single glazed metal framed windows, some days were beautiful frost patterns, some days were a couple inches of ice sealing the window shut and covering the windowsill.

[@timcaesar6749]

@@fools_opinions As children we used to say "Jack Frost has been", waking up to ice patterns on the window.

[@YearRoundHibernater]

I love that you did the ad for the sugar free drinks stood in front of what can only be described as a medically inadvisable amount of Dr Pepper and 7ups.

[@CARLOS62B]

I think they have more can`s on that stand than our local Supermaket has in stock.

[@AthynVixen]

i was just about to point that out lol

[@stevemawer848]

It'd be worse if the cans had all gone!

[@suttoncoldfield9318]

gotta be around twenty-four cans there

[@Stannington]

Well I'm pushing 60 now and deal with the British winter in 4 ways. 1. A big pan of stew, eaten over a couple of days. 2. Hot steam puddings and lashing of hot custard. 3. As much steaming hot mugs of tea as I can manage. 4. Chocolate

[@johnturner4400]

I just jump to No4

[@knightwish1623]

You forgot a big bowl of porridge for breakfast 🙂

[@mothmagic1]

Oh yes, stew is comfort food especially with dumplings. Haha, the answer's chocolate now what was the question

[@emmsue1053]

Corned beef hash.

[@anEnglishRoseacrossthepond]

Sounds good!

[@john43397]

The winter cold in The UK is different to the cold in other places. The cold in the UK is damp and soaks right through your clothes and bones. The cold In other countries is colder (by the temperature) but drier and easier to stay dry (skinned in). New York at Christmas was - minus 5, I was dressed for a wet damp English Winter. I was too hoot and had to take off two layers.

[@stevenwoodhouse1269]

Even in the cold, the grey, the damp.. get out have a walk, empty the mind...and wear fuzzy socks at all time.. very heartfelt video. Thanks for sharing..🙂

[@AdventuresAndNaps]

Thank you ☺️

[@mothmagic1]

A quick walk in the fresh air is a great restorative.

[@matthewhewitson80]

Thank you for being open about SAD, its great to hear people talk about mental health, and it's important that we all take care over the winter, especially if you are someone prone to normal depression. Great video, thank you

[@AdventuresAndNaps]

Thank you so much 🙏🏻

[@WIDGI]

I find that swimming works best for me personally. And an occasional massage. Best wishes to all the fellow sufferers.

[@shibumae647]

See we have a conflict of interests going on here, there's " seasonal affected disorder" and "social anxiety disorder" both SAD! ...only one of us can claim the title! Toss a coin for it? ;p

[@matthewhewitson80]

@@shibumae647 Given the context, it was fairly clear though

[@johnlbirch]

We had a Quebec student who stayed with us for a school year. She brought over photos of Quebec with feet of snow, and in Hertfordshire we pretty much don't get any. But - wow - did she find our winter hard. She said it felt SO much colder than Quebec, and it was because it is cold and wet here. In winter everything is always damp, and - yes - grey. Even the air felt damp, so there was no escape from it. We were very surprised!

[@richardbarton2709]

We do not in Kent that much but were Alana lives as well tomorrow 08/01/2024 we could.

[@andrewdking]

It's snowed twice in a week in my Chilterns area of Hertfordshire.

[@keithorbell8946]

@@andrewdkingTring?

[@cultfiction3865]

What they call snow down south is probably quite embarrassing though. Im in north east England and its not unusual for us to get a foot or more in winter. I can just see now kids with sledges trying to sledge in 3cms of snow down in Hertfordshire and Kent 😅

[@vespasian266]

Talking to a retired pilot he said Britain had the worst kind of cold. In Alaska the cold is crisp, in England the cold seeps into your bones.

[@harrypike731]

Yeah, it's very true, and as such it annoys me when people play-down / dismiss the reality of British winters and how rough they can be. The temperature is kind of moot, because the main factor is the humidity. The UK is humid year-round, but then the air temperature is cold, let's say 5c or below, that water vapour in the air chills, becomes icy, and that makes things a very different type of cold to low humidity air that may be -10c, or even -20c. There are cold, wet days in the UK winter where it doesn't really matter how many layers you wear, because the freezing water vapour in the air seeps in and chills you regardless. Compare this to my many trips to Scandinavia in winter, where I've hiked in -10c, -15c and below weather, but when well-wrapped up, it's quite pleasant tbh, and you end up feeling perfectly fine once you get moving.

[@ynot6473]

as a fellow S.A.D sufferer, big hugs to you, and every one else who suffers. in a week or so i will notice the days getting longer, and i will feel better for that.

[@MillsyLM]

As a winter baby i love the dark evenings. I work outside and the temperature and conditions don't really affect me very much. I know i might be in a minority here but i had to throw my hat in the ring for the good old British winter.

[@jchendrix]

indoor crafts are usually the best thing to do during winter in Britain. learning a new craft or two can make Winter more enjoyable as you create things during the darker months.

[@davidboydarnott417]

You can crochet Trauma Bears, for Ambulance Crews to hand to Children in stressful situations. My Mum crochet'd around 40. 👍

[@alfresco8442]

The dampness of the air and the constant overcast skies have a much greater effect than any wind chill factor. Canadians know how to deal with winters. The first time we went to Montreal we wondered where everyone was, as the streets were virtually empty. It turned out everyone was down below ground, as all the big stores and other institutions are linked by a network of underground malls, so you hardly need venture above ground. We tend to think of Canada as being the frozen north, but in fact the US-Canadian border is further south than anywhere on mainland UK. Northern Scotland is the same latitude as Churchill...where polar bears regularly stroll into town.

[@lizhume5536]

Also get S.A.D and feel like I should hibernate until the light returns - try and remember that it gets lighter really quickly after 25th December - writing this on 12 Jan and darkness is already an hour later. That feels nice.

[@alanbrown9178]

Many years ago when I was in Hong Kong, I got talking to a Canadian gent who told me his experience of a UK Winter. He had been in the Canadian Army during the war. He thought they were on top of any severe weather and travelling to a British Winter would be easy. Very quickly, he and most of his company became "sick as dogs" in the damp weather and in his words "couldn't have fought their way out of a paper bag!"

[@stevemawer848]

It's our secret weapon against invaders. Of course, we're sunk if they invade in summer ....

[@HootMaRoot]

Crocheting is something my mum always did when I was younger. When I hear crochet I remember sitting in front of the TV usually as a family and my mum sitting with a notepad, pattern and a bag of wool busy making a blanket

[@AdventuresAndNaps]

honestly so chill, I love it

[@BillCameronWC]

The big factor affecting daylight in the northern hemisphere (& the southern too of course) is latitude - London is at 51.5 N whereas Toronto is 43.6 N, where I am in the north of Scotland is at 57.6 N in Canada that would be on Hudson Bay, north of Belcher Islands. Toronto is at roughly the same latitude at Corsica in the Mediterranean. As for temperature, the only reason the British Isles and much of coastal Northern Europe are not much colder than their latitudes would suggest is because of the Gulf Stream & North Atlantic Drift which brings us milder waters from the eastern Caribbean & south eastern US, lucky for us 😎👍.

[@user-man-now80]

Vit D, Multi Vit, Fish Oil, Collagen, Turmeric, Green Tea. Plenty of regular exercise, absorbing hobby. I'm 80. Never get depressed or lonely. Control your state of mind and remember that Spring is on the way. Oh and hypnotherapy discs can be useful. Plus, learn to love the winter. Cheers ! Sheffield South Yorkshire.

[@stevemawer848]

You're in Yorkshire and you don't get depressed? That's impressive! 🙂 (only kidding)

[@user-man-now80]

@stevemawer848 only laughing. Cheers !

[@klondikechris]

I live in the Yukon, where the sun does not come high enough above the hills for about two months at my place. We also get real cold, like - 47.7C the other day. Some of your ideas work well here! Many people sort of hibernate at this time of year, and in the summer when we have twenty-one hours of sunlight a day, people are much more active. Still, life goes on! And, the joy of actually seeing the sun after two months without it is really cool! :)

[@Andy-Capp]

I live for the 21st December. Then on the 22nd December I convince myself that summer is on its way.

[@eightiesmusic1984]

I almost lost my life on 21st December 1985 in a road accident when I was knocked off my bike by a car while trying to reach a chip shop called Papas Fritas in Southport to buy food before watching the omnibus edition of Brookside ( I have finally got to see it recently on the STV player a mere thirty nine years later). As well as the start of winter the date has special significance for me when I remember my lucky escape aged 15.

[@julietannOsfan1972]

I’m different to most people, as I love winter. I especially like the dark evenings & find them cosy. I get depressed when it starts getting lighter earlier. I suffer from summer SAD & hate everything to do with summer, especially hot weather.

[@cj-uk232]

I lived in Abitibi in north west Quebec for a year in the 1970s. For months in winter, the temperatures were minus 40 and below, but the sun shone and the sky was most often blue. Since I came back to Scotland, I've felt much colder in winter because of the damp, and the sky is mostly cloudy. Together with the lack of daylight this is definitely a factor in SAD.

[@billmilligan1705]

Here is the odd thing, If you live on the South Ayrshire coast we have warmer winters, palm trees, tuna showls and a 150yr old banana plantation located at Culzen Castle. Yes you can get Scottish bananas

[@dawnferrettjesusfreak]

Bless you for being so honest and open! Winter is hard on so many people, certainly here in England, at least. Thank you for your helpful suggestions on how to get through the grayness of a british winter! Getting out of the house is one of the hardest to do, but is probably one of the most beneficial for me as it helps to breathe in some fresh air, get a bit of exercise and soak up as much sunlight as I can in these shorter days of the year. SAD, or Seasonal Affective Disorder, is a real problem, especially now I'm retired. Keep making your videos, Alanna! They are really informative and fun! God bless you, sweetheart! Happy New Year! ❤❤❤

[@ajames8237]

I found the grey overcast start to this winter difficult, I’ve never had SAD so bad. Your videos have been a humorous little weekly treat for many years, thank you.

[@nath7283]

I moved here (north of England) from New England about 38 years ago, and i still miss the crisp, bright, snowy winters. English grey winters can be so debilitating. I have a sad lamp, I've found having on my desk angled slightly away. Shining straight into my face/eyes never works for me, its annoying and gives me a heavy feeling like a headache. But having it on all day, just on my desk works for me. I also crochet, i took it up during Covid times and I've n never stopped...

[@erikdalna211]

Try indirect light. Reflecting it in a mirror works for me.

[@nath7283]

@erikdalna211 thanks for the tip, I'll definitely give it a try

[@ianworley8169]

The solution to Winters in Britain is a holiday to Portugal in February. Something to look forward to after Xmas, cheap flights, car hire and hotels and come home to near Spring. Chops Winter up into surviveable chunks and the oranges are ripe on the trees.

[@TheAzguardThor]

I still have and use a blanket that my Nan made for me on my 1st birthday in 1966. Peace happy new year.

[@eightiesmusic1984]

Great post. I was born in 1970 and I am still waiting for someone to make me a blanket. The chances are receding fast ! My wife still has jumpers knitted for her by her grandmother who brought her up in France from the age of eight due to very sad family circumstances- she was born in 1971.

[@kevinlance1813]

I used to suffer from SAD in the Winter time here in NC. I've found that since I started running about 6 years ago that I don't get so down in the Winter. I don't have any professional opinion about it but something about the act of going outside in all kinds of weather seems to help. Cheers always enjoy your content.

[@oliabid-price4517]

Change some or all of your lightbulbs (correct term is lamp) for daylight graded ones. Really makes a difference, especially for crafting during the daytime.

[@timjackson1904]

I recommend for winters, you save ~£300 and when you cant take the rain/gray skies any more, you book a week in the canary isles and sunbathe. Check the WiFi before you go! its about 20C at the mo! Im holdin out till mid May so Portugal's warm.

[@mothmagic1]

Happy new year Alanna. Here's to another fun year of your videos.

[@garethley66]

Toronto is on the same latitude as Marseille in southern France. Whereas London is north of Calgary in terms of latitude. The days are shorter in the winter but longer in the summer.

[@AmenJunglist1973]

Dog's will always bring a smile to your face, happy new year

[@jamesbeeching6138]

Good video Alanna!! Yes winter in Britain is very grey and drizzly....Impressed with your crochet ....Are you going to do some yarn bombing ???😊😊😊

[@allanheslop4493]

Alana , a while back I was watching another channel responding to a video of yours , you were back home, on the things you miss about the uk . At a rough guess it would be your partner. But I remembered when your visa came through and the tears . I think you’re happy to put up with grey skies x

[@TheFugazi3973]

Cracking vid as always Alanna. Very honest about MH as well, which is great of you. Winter will soon be over mate.

[@ozzyprogdomino8815]

I ride motorcycles, even in the winter, not when it’s raining, snowing or icy, but on grey days cold days (heated clothing necessary) but just thinking about getting back on my bike helps. It really helped my depression going through the menopause. I agree with fuzzy socks are a must.

[@paulberry9244]

Thank u for talking about mental health and also sad. I use a sad light every day in the autumn/winter and i find it does work however i have suffered depression for over 30 years and its been a long long fight.

[@michaelstamper5604]

@paulberry. Fellow depression sufferer here, and for at least as long. I just wanted to say, cliche though it is, you're not alone, friend. Be proud of that fighting spirit that's kept you going all those years. Whether you feel like one or not, you're a hero, pal. Never let anyone, including your own mind, tell you otherwise.

[@heskeyisgod8039]

Great video Alanna! I'm glad we are past the shortest day and the days are slowly getting longer :-)

[@AdventuresAndNaps]

Nearly spring!! 🪻🌻🌸

[@thecockneyphotographer]

I find that in the UK Winter, as cold and miserable as it is, is probably the best time for me to go out and fulfil my passion in photography of photographing birds, but thats about it, coz other than that I hate winter in the UK, roll on spring. Happy New Year young lady...... Tone (The Cockney Photographer YT) xx

[@kevinfairclough4619]

Sun set is funny! Just like you! ❤ up in the north east, the sun sets around 15:30. But loo at the positive, we’re past the solstice

[@vereybowring]

Something that's a game changer is LED lights since you can get quite bright lighting (dimmable as well) with a decent colour levels possible (5500-6500K) to be more like daylight. Personally I never liked the old yellow (warm) bulbs, my eyesight just hated it and have been using "daylight" bulbs for years. I have depression in general (physically different frontal cortex causing me to be on the autistic spectrum with depression amongst the problems) so every little helps. Everyone has comfort foods and drinks even if they don't think they have. In winter I love ending the day with warm chocolate, malted drinks. I also eat slightly more "stodgy" foods like stews etc. to warm up and get energy as well as thicker soups for lunch. Grew up a highlander so layering clothing was learned at a young age but things have got considerably lighter weight/less bulky to wear with the modern high tech fabrics for temperature regulation and wind/waterproofing. Also a good pair of boots is very advisable for winter with good soles (as in proper tread and pattern), I see so many skating around on icy pavements in trainers(sneakers) and the like leading to taking spills with potential injuries. Most of course complain about the council not spreading enough grit for this (which will only get worse with the restricted budgets they now have) but why not have decent footwear for yourself rather than pushing blame around ?

[@NotYourKindOfPeople-z6m]

Alana^s becoming my gran, vitamins, crochet, knitting.... 😄

[@TT-zv1oh]

I notice the winter blues have affected me more as I get older. Thanks for the tips!

[@ynot6473]

mine is far worse now i'm approaching 60.

[@raystewart3648]

A friend of mine is from Northern Netherlands where its dark for 6 months a year. She says winters here in the UK is just perfect. She has no problem with it at all, because there is more sun light here in winter than where she lived for 30+ years of her life. OOPS Sorry I meant Norway, dumb blonde moment there for some unknown reason.

[@alfresco8442]

She must be living pretty far south, because the whole of the Netherlands is south of Manchester. 🙂

[@raystewart3648]

@@alfresco8442 Longyearbyen, Svalbard, Norway.. Sorry had a dumb blonde moment there.

[@dealbreakerc]

It is not dark for 6 months of the year ANYWHERE on earth. In fact, the entirety of the Netherlands is south of York and I know for a fact that York still has sunlight for a several hours even on the Winter solstice.

[@raystewart3648]

@@dealbreakerc It was meant to be 6 weeks, why I put 6 months I am not sure. Also it was Norway shes from not the Netherlands. Sorry about that, dumb moment on my part.

[@alfresco8442]

@@raystewart3648 Haha! Now that I can believe. No need to watch out for polar bears either. 😁

[@johndaarteest]

I remember talking to a canadian video store owner back in the day (video store shows the age of it ) who lived here in the UK and similar to a lot of others I was shocked that they said English winters were worse. They too said about the dampness here and how it gets into the marrow of your bones. I notice it in my bones and also now my teeth if it's really cold, the nerves hurt.

[@10thdoctor15]

I moved into my house before Christmas, and there's plenty of decorating to do. So I have something to do this winter.

[@stevemawer848]

I'd find decorating more depressing than British wonter!

[@10thdoctor15]

@stevemawer848 Would you rather do the decorating in the summer?

[@stevemawer848]

@@10thdoctor15 I'd rather not do the decorating at all.

[@10thdoctor15]

@stevemawer848 It needs doing and nothing else happens in January or February. It feels good when it's done.

[@paulhaynes9306]

I’m from the UK. Winters tend to throw up lots of different weather so you don’t get into a routine. I get outside by walking the dog though he is getting a lot slower now. Vitamin D is very good as we don’t get enough sunlight. You can get a lot of grey skies for what seems to go on forever. One suggestion is to just get outside even just for 20mins also don’t take your phone… you’ll survive 🙂

[@zhukov43]

I absolutely hate winter time, I always feel like I’m in the trenches mentally, I count down the days till spring is sprung, every thing is bleak and I do plenty of things, but that darkness around 16:00 breaks me apart.

[@amyb7070]

I used to use a SAD light in Alaska. I found out that if I spend time places that are brightly lit for an extended period of time helped me in dealing with the cold dark winters. I sometimes end up doing a lot of window shopping but it helps me with the winter blues.

[@davidpierce3217]

Lots of good observations and suggestions here. Thanks!

[@AdventuresAndNaps]

Thank you! 🙏🏻

[@kevinfairclough4619]

Oo, that’s a great suggestion. Pruning is so satisfying. Have a great day

[@SaintPhoenixx]

As a fellow S.A.D. enjoyer, I find the winter incredibly testing. Its dark when I walk to work at 6, I'm inside all day and then its dark when I walk home late afternoon and its depressing. I'm a delicate little sunflower, I need light to survive. Good on you for talking about it, I think it was 'proven' that most people in the UK suffer with vitamin D deficiency because its so grim and grey all the time. Winter in this country is just oppressive. It's not beautiful like people describe it, its harsh, cold, icy, dangerous, dark and miserable.

[@bentilbury2002]

I have Canadian and Polish friends, and they say exactly the same sorts of things about British winters. The damp cold that seeps into your bones and doesn't let go... wimps lol

[@MonicaTheMad]

I have always lifted weights because I love the way it makes me feel. Recently my aunt fell and broke her shoulder. I thought, "Well, that's one other reason why I lift weights." I also used to walk lots and lots. It all adds up. I'm in my 60s.

[@LB-my1ej]

I love Winter it’s an excuse to snuggle under a heated throw with tea biscuits and a good book

[@Swansea32]

I was going to say that the blanket was a bit small until you mentioned sewing bits together 😊. You don’t need to be British to do the lottery. Was in Llanelli over Christmas and there was a women only gym. I suffer from SAD both sides of winter which is a pain, I take vitamins but doesn’t make a big difference but every little helps. Finally when I was growing up in Swansea I have queued in snow with others to get an ice cream from Joe’s

[@timwhittey4121]

Cold tea in Winter! Not likely... The solution to the Winter blues is a bottle of scotch, mugs of oxtail soup, big fry ups (with haggis), home made steak & kidney pud (not the supermarket rubbish), and if that doesn't work spend two months in Morocco.

[@scrappystocks]

Come on Alana. The trouble is you come from the part of Canada where you lived in the far South, along with most of your fellow countrymen. Farther North it's completely different. We may have short days but once you get as far North as Edmonton daylight lengths are much the same as central England. Farther North in Canada winter days are very short. The benefits come in the summer with those long hours of daylight. I guess you don't complain when it may still be light at 10.30 or 11 pm or even later in Scotland. Anyway, your vlogs brighten up the winter days.

[@tinastanley3552]

Well put I was thinking the same , someone commented that a friend came from Mongolia that goes to -40 but says it's colder here 🤔.

[@rolsta2871]

Tonic water contains Quinine which was used to treat Malaria useful when you feel a bit of a cold coming on.

[@shaunfarrell3834]

Only effective if mixed with gin, don’t know why😉

[@oaktreeman4369]

Women who hope to get pregnant should avoid tonic water. A Belgian pharmacist I once knew told me a story. Back in the day when Belgium had its own little empire, the women in one of their African colonies were having problems getting pregnant. They looked into it. Eventually, the discovered the reason. The Belgian women, who struggled with the heat, drank a lot of tonic water. The quinine in it was acting as a prophylactic, preventing pregnancy.

[@Fox-in-the-north]

i just checked the tempeature in ontario. it's -4. I think the big difference is that canada deals with winter better. Especially on the roads.

[@geoffh2560]

What a great video, thanks for sharing. I love the idea of a second channel doing weights btw!

[@GreenLeaf7782]

I love dark,foggy,grey,cold,windy,frosty days.Summer is ok but I'm a Anglo Saxon so i'm not use to summer lol.Love the crocheting ,really good job❤,Can you make me a jumper please😊lol.

[@richardhargrave6082]

I'm on my 59th winter and I'm still not used to it! All I'll add is make the best of it when the sun shines, even if its cold

[@archereegmb8032]

I'm 70 and get SAD every winter. Good on you for working at dealing with it, but don't beat yourself up if there are times (sometimes a couple of weeks) when you just don't feel up to fighting. It Will pass (for me it's usually when the sun returns for a spell). Then i run a mile, and start lifting weights again. Best wishes 😊

[@hugoboss5979]

Hi Alanna, i was feeling a bit low with the winter blues.... Then this video cheered me up and I'm high n bright again 😅.. Thank you

[@AdventuresAndNaps]

ahh I'm so glad! ☺️

[@renaissanceman8687]

Even as a born and bred U.K. person I found that Vitamin D ‘takes the edge off’. Also Oranges 🍊 (for Vitamin C) and eating my weight in Broccoli 🥦 Bird spotting also helps 😎 🦢

[@angelique_cs]

As a fellow home body, I relate to how easy it is to just be in my cozy place. I'm working on getting outside more this winter. I realize that I'm not dealing with literally freezing temps like you guys are but still

[@suepoole8323]

This is my 72nd Winter and I still hate it, I have cats and a dog, I watch the cats these colder damper dark days, they go out come back curl up and sleep, my dog however makes sure that I get out and about albeit slowly now, regardless of what my body says and the snow flurries I have to go out for a walk everyday...watching Robins and other things like the tiniest buds starting on trees and shrubs, I too crochet lifts my mood a tad.. One of your best videos ever thank you for bringing up S.A.D it needs to be talked about more often.

[@andrewosborne9472]

Holy advert, while trolly behind stacked to the brim with DrPepper and 7up😂😂😂

[@Varksterable]

I noticed that too. 😂😂😂 _So_ _many_ cans, though! 😮 That's not a drink stash; that's an investment! 💰💰💰💰

[@bimblinghill]

My advice: get a good wax jacket. A good new one will be expensive, but I picked up one I could wreck at work (I work in the building trade) in a charity shop for £10. They set you up for going outside in that classic British winter grimness. They're not super warm in themselves, but they're more spacious underneath for a nice thick jumper than most other types of jacket. Very hard wearing for going on walks, climbing over styles and pushing through brambles. The stiff fabric deflects the winds and horizontal rain. Once a year or if it leaks, get a pot of wax & use a hairdryer to rewax it. Together with good boots, a scarf & gloves it it'll make going outside in the wind & drizzle an actual pleasure, so you'll do it more often. Even the overcast outside gives you far more light overall than a well-lit interior and will really help rid you of the winter blues. Edit: also thermal underwear! I sometimes have to stand outside all day doing electrical wiring (so I'm not generating my own heat like the labourers around me). With the right gear it's possible to stay comfortable in any weather. Only trouble is that if I have to go inside I sweat my arse off.

[@jaseinclee]

At least our winters are more rain than anything else where there is loads of snow in Canada. Our cold temps are nothing compared to most countries. Still cold for us British folk

[@robertgrimsted877]

In the winter get out side when it’s sunny even when it’s cold cold rain isn’t the best idea try and brighten your day cosy jumpers and hot soup and stews love the vids 😀

[@PhilR0gers]

I have a daylight simulation lamp (but not because of SAD). I find it is less harsh if I point it at the wall and get the reflected light.

[@ibuk4309]

You are doing all the right things 👍weights fresh air/outdoor light and supplements, maybe add a B complex with Iron for mood and energy as well 😊

[@davidlewis3201]

May I suggest growing bulbs. They come up quite quickly and you can see more every day. I find that this helps.

[@nicolad8822]

The place I’ve felt the cold worst was Paris. The most miserable city at the best of times, but in the winter…

[@janetburrows137]

Alanna, I’ve lived here all my life. Apart from 3-4 yrs in Surry working as a cook at a boarding school. My first few months, was the Hurricane 🌀 that never was. It WAS 😂😂😂. I did go back too Blackburn in Lancashire. My Eldest sister had my niece. So thought I needed to do my Auntie Janet bit. So I had too move back home to my mum and dads. Eventually I did buy my home , are you ready for this???!! £25,000 . PS, I do actually suffer from SAD . I hate dark nights. I have just bought a sad lamp. But , yes I agree, the winters are dark, and the cold damp is a bugger. It goes too your bones. But I’m lucky ☺️ we’re I live. Not far from the coast, Wales, Scotland, Peak District. It you look at your map. You’ll realise how central Blackburn is. Don’t bother about Blackpool, a place too be forgotten trust me on that one. ❤😂🎉❤

[@emmsue1053]

Thanks for this, yes its always kinda overcast.. Keep up with the cuppas too. xx

[@Dinadan993]

I put candles ( tea lights)on in the winter. Just brightens up the ambience a little. Also I put lights through my artificial olive trees (2) for winter. Simple but it does cheer me up a little. Just makes the house feel more cosy and brightens the miserable evenings. Ps having pets also helps…. A lot😊

[@Varksterable]

Re. pets: So does having teddy bears. 🐻🐻‍❄️ Who needs a hot water bottle when you have a 6 foot tall teddy to stick your feet under? 😊 A few more to cuddle at night. One or two in my home office. Sorted. And when I say "a few," I've just looked around at the every increasing piles of bears. What the heck? I'm a bloke, nearly 52, and my bedroom is packed with bears??!? But they bring me immense joy and are practically a requirement for me getting through winter still sane now. If can call that 'sane.' 😅🤔🤪🤷‍♂️

[@Watchlivewithdarryl]

Watching this whilst off work after I called in sick today with mental health issues. 😢 I work awful hours so I mainly see the dark in my day time :(

[@adunne2007]

We moved back to the UK from Southern Ontario in 2021. Everything you said about Canadian vs UK winters is totally true 😂 Especially the bit about the UK feeling as cold, even though it's not!

[@Rbourk252]

Vit D is actually a hormone. It is essential to the immune system and for the absorption of minerals such as potassium and magnesium. In turn these minerals are essential electrolytes for brain function and mobility. The D hormone is generated by exposure to sunlight. The skin most sensitive for D are your eyelids. When there is little sunlight, then your D battery runs down. So D is vital in winter. High doses. I take 10K units per day.

[@jcasillas78]

Great video! I feel the same way about exercise, it's as much of a psychological thing as physical. I too can't just meditate, so an hour or so of movement sets me up for the rest of the day.

[@AdventuresAndNaps]

Exactly!!

[@eightiesmusic1984]

My wife has lost a lot of weight through walking in the last year following in the footsteps of a famous singer who apparently lost weight the same way many years ago and kept it off. The results have been quite remarkable through persistence and change of diet as well. She says it has helped her mental health and general sense of well being because she is actually doing something positive to look after herself. She recently met up with someone she has not seen for about six months and they were astonished at the progress made.

[@me-in-Australia]

I so so agree with the light in winter, or lack of. I am a Londoner, lived there most of my life, winter is my reason for living in australia, and when there is a gloomy day here, I still hate it, but I also so miss the sence of humour so much.

[@everycloud7144]

Nothing beats that first day when you walk out of your house and feel the sun for the first time in months.

[@matthewcordes6645]

Winters here are horrible: dark, dank and drizzly! Don't worry Alanna, many of us Brits struggle to cope with our winters. I just hunker down and wait for them to pass!😂

[@gordonconnah411]

"If winter comes, can spring be far behind?"

[@golach420]

It's good to switch off, so probs a good idea to keep some things just for you. I'm struggling to find something that interests me for downtime. The snow up in aberdeenshire is dampening activities currently.

[@eustaquiozambrano2974]

Thanks girl for sharing Have a nice day ❤❤❤

[@tomsuzyinfluencerinfj2712]

9 years...cool. I'm a German and made it 20 years in UK. It was fun driving a German car in UK, figure that out.

[@gamingtonight1526]

You have now lived in England as long as I lived in Houston, TX. So well done!

[@ecowomble1781]

Wow, for years I wondered why the intro was “Hi I’m Alanna and I’m a comedian. “😶, misheard lyrics and all that.

[@davewebster6945]

😂