Winter Garden Bliss | My Top Strategies for Beating SAD

Winter Garden Bliss | My Top Strategies for Beating SAD
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Byther Farm is a small organic homestead, being designed and managed using permaculture practices. We aim for self-sufficiency in fruit and vegetables for increased self reliance and better resilience to the modern world. I recognise that we are unlikely to be truly self sufficient, but do the best we can. I share our home with my loving husband, Mr J and our cat, Monty.
We are a fifty-something couple who live on a smallholding in Carmarthenshire, Wales. We are going green and creating a gentler, cleaner and more healthy life for our family.
Having had a highly successful smallholding in Monmouthshire, we hope to recreate the abundance at our new home. There will be a large organic kitchen garden with no dig gardening raised beds and young food forest in which to grown our fruit and vegetables.
We keep a few sheep and Aylesbury ducks.
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[@tracysmith5948]

I didn’t realise I had it until my therapist of 9 years told me she’d noticed how much my mood changed. Not only in winter but in spring also. She also noticed how much I had improved after I had started gardening and being outside with my chickens and doing outside projects. Also I have a hot tub which I use in the winter just to be outside and be warm.

[@LizZorab]

I think possibly many of us didn't realise we had SAD until someone pointed it out to us!

[@SteveRichards27]

I used to get SAD quite badly Liz, but over the years I’ve got it mostly under control. It helps me a lot to sit in a conservatory with my growlights, walk on the beach, watch the sunset and light up the garden and greenhouse at night, so I’m not looking at black out of the windows. We’ve also made the house super cosy in winter, so that when the bright lights go out, we can enjoy the evening. Glad you are making progress in your own journey too. : all the best - Steve (seaside allotment)

[@catreeves963]

I used to try and take a trip to the other hemisphere during winter but when C-vid came along that wasn’t possible but now I try and get outside in the garden most days during the winter- even if just to walk around and observe nature and take joy in noticing the small things. Thanks for sharing ❤

[@sarahlyons267]

Im so glad I've found your channel. Loving the content.

[@LizZorab]

Welcome aboard!

[@pennythompson4790]

I have depression & i'm on meds for it but feeding the birds &doing my gardening helps a lot especially if i've got seedlings to look after & i get very excited when they poke through the soil it never gets old for mexx

[@LizZorab]

I agree, new growth in the garden or pots or even the windowsill, never gets old!

[@lyndaturner6686]

I too have had the symptoms ofSAD for about forty years, it was hard as my kids were young and I had dogs a horse and chickens . As I’ve got older my mid 70’s I don’t have any of those pressures and I’ve found I cope much better, I have my garden I walk my dog so spend lots of time outdoors, but I embrace cosy indoors and PG’s on early , I’m usually in bed by 9-30 pm it helps, I still feel low a bit depressed at times and tired but I suppose being older now it’s ok to doze in the afternoon if I need to. I think you have to find what works for you and you seem to have done that very well Liz, and with your wonderful cheery Mr J giving you such support you’ll hopefully make it to spring unscathed❤️

[@Hayley-sl9lm]

It's really hard for those of us who can only garden when we're not at our regular 9-5 jobs, there is basically no daylight left now 😢. I try to spend as much time as I can outside on my days off. I also think raising some plants inside is therapeutic, you're not getting any real daylight but it still lifts my spirits to take care of something and plan for the future.

[@melanieallen8980]

yes!! I suffer SAD yearly...the weather is my mood!! this is why I garden & grow seasonal things.💚My winters in Sydney Australia are mild...I cook very differently in the winter too..

[@LizZorab]

I love the light in Sydney! I was surprised by how bright it is there compared to here. But if you are used to bright light, then the lower winter levels would also have the same impact.

[@JanesGrowingGarden]

Well said Liz!

[@amybrown5848]

Thank you for posting this! Wonderful tips! I look forward to researching and planning a winter interest garden during this downtime! A light therapy box and vitamin d supplementation helps me get through the dark days. I have also made a winter wreath and put up lights to bring cheer. ❤ love your videos Liz!

[@BeFree-BeFrugal]

My flat faces east, I pull my chair to the window and get what sun light I can. When the sun moves, I go out if I can

[@LizZorab]

Great plan! Sadly our tiny cottage gets very little light as it's partly sunk into the hillside.

[@turbostream7925]

For the last few winters I have thought I had some kind of winter depression. Its very mild and only affects me on the darkest of miserable days, the ones where you need the lights on in the day. When the sun comes out I am perfectly fine, and have loads of energy on those days. I am also trying to sort out my tinnitus which I suddenly woke with almost two years ago so your video was well timed. Part of the habituation process is to recognise low mood and negative thoughts. This autumn I started a daily walk of about an hour which is helping, plus a 4000iu of Vit D, magnesium and cod liver oil capsules. I was doing ok this year considering the dull days we have been getting but on Tuesday I really was down in the dumps. So I finally decided to buy a SAD lamp and now am typing this in front of the lamp. My allotment is so saturated so the walks are a replacement for a couple of hours on the plot. Roll on the 22nd when the light starts to return slowly!

[@LizZorab]

I hope the light box is as good for you as it has been for me. It takes a while for the effect to build up, but once it does, it lifts me just enough to stop those awful thoughts that like to run around my head.

[@turbostream7925]

@@LizZorab the plan is to use it while I have my morning coffee after breakfast and perhaps mid morning too after my walk.

[@melanieallen8980]

yes!! my outside animals help2 keep me motivated in winter.chickens, turkeys, rabbits, birds & guinea pigs.❤great video..thankyou for talking about this subject.

[@LizZorab]

You are welcome.

[@Lenagordon35]

So glad you are talking about this. I am super sensitive to the weather and light. It dictates my moods and energy levels. I will make my husband watch this. He is very understanding of how I feel but good to know I am not the only one. Lots of love 💕

[@LizZorab]

Hope it is helpful.

[@PaulB-justme]

My GP told some years ago that I "probably had SAD" but never officially diagnosed me as such. He went through some coping strategies, like spending as much time outside as I could (difficult as I worked in a dreary little office with buildings all round!) but I did my best. Some years later, when I was going through a bad patch of depression, I told my manager about what my previous GP had told me. My manager replied "but you haven't actually been diagnosed as having SAD?" I said no, to which he replied that he could not accept my request to sit closer to a window. 😢

[@marthathompson2012]

Could not, or wasn’t required to? 🤔

[@gardenextra7415]

I could just say me too. I have ducks and chickens. And I do have to go out in the morning and evening to take care of them. My winter gardens grow slowly Or shut down. Really trying to enjoy my downtime.

[@junewrogg6137]

WE have very long , cold, snowy winters here in Wisconsin ,short light in daytime. So it is really hard to want to be out in those situations. I keep busy indoors, canning foods I stuck in freezer, sewing/quilting/crafting/reading. In October I start dreading winter, once the leaves are gone, I get stressed. I have learned to look for joyful things, thankful for friends, family and my church. It's not a total fix and I like my jammie oclock and catching up on You Tube videos I just didn't have time for in the busyness of garden time. Thanks for encouraging folks with this video.

[@bewoodford2807]

I always feel low in Winter and I crave sun. I never want to do anything in Winter. I am mystified why that the Government doesn't put the clocks forward until the end of March- some 14 weeks after the Winter solstice, , but puts the clocks back just 8 weeks before the Winter solstice. It doesn't make sense to me. Surely the clocks could go forward at the end of February? I need more light. I wouldn't do anything at all in Winter if it wasn't for my dogs. I really have to push myself some days, to get up or do anything.. Do you think I might have SAD? Your video has been most helpful Liz, thank you 😃 x

[@bowtielife]

When Mrs Bowtie moved from sunny S Texas to Illinois for the winter we got married the sun went behind the clouds in November and did not come out till late March that year. She went into depression and we learned a whole lot about S. A. D. Over the decades we've lived in the south but I still keep lights on and especially designed in our home with 4000 Kelvin lights. It really helps her a great deal! I even designed our cabin in Arkansas with a ton of windows and she never got S.A.D. once in that decade! I so like your garden. The natural structure is similar to what I try to do in my small garden.

[@LizZorab]

Thank you! I think we often underestimate the impact that sunlight has on us 🌞

[@anniecochrane3359]

Thanks to both of you for talking openly about this. Great advice based on your own experience of SAD

[@juliehartley3652]

Thank you for this video - modern society puts a lot of pressure on people and I think winter is a natural time for rest. It is very good that you are making people aware of this. Listening to your body and how you feel is important, and keeping balance is good too. Great video thank you again. 🙏😊

[@millwana]

big love Liz , I get you thats why I try and get as much sunlight in the summer and hopefully store that vit D for the dark months. Only 3 weeks till them days get longer. big up yourself and hubby x

[@LizZorab]

Thank you! Yes I'm counting down the days until the solstice and then the weeks beyond it until the sun rises higher into the sky. So far this year, it hasn't been too bad, certainly not as awful as last year felt - thankfully!

[@millwana]

@@LizZorab we will get there

[@conniedavidson1807]

I find that taking my vitamins on a regular schedule also helps me, especially vitamin D3. I don't sleep as much and have more energy to accomplish a little something.

[@LizZorab]

Absolutely, I take them all year round and increase the dose of vitamin D3, and several minerals during the darker months.

[@marymurphy1393]

As someone living in Ireland, I can totally relate!!! I thank you sooo much for this video ❤❤❤

[@LizZorab]

You are so welcome!

[@GardenMyselfHappy]

This is such an important aspect of life and gardening. I'm trying to focus myself on my front garden this year. Like you I'm in Carmarthenshire, and have had such a difficult year. Personally and weather wise. Let's hope the current cold snap is a sign of a more 'normal' winter. And bright sunshine for us all to enjoy. Thank you both for sharing so honestly what works for you. You clearly make an amazing team.

[@BumblebeeAdventure]

good topic !!! Thanks for sharing. Im having the same problems

[@LizZorab]

Thanks for watching!

[@wineberryfarm6445]

Liz, I really appreciate you taking the time to put this video out. SAD affects so many people and it’s always good to hear how other people cope with it. Your garden looks beautiful. And it’s always wonderful to see Mr. J God bless you.

[@LizZorab]

Thank you Drema, I couldn't believe that it's been 4 years since Mr J and I did the last one. Where did that time go?

[@rrichards1210]

You are inspirational Liz, and Mr J is a great role model as a supportive husband. I had noticed last winter as I was recovering from cancer treatment how differently I felt depending on the weather. On the few sunny days I felt more energetic and positive. But on the many grey, dull, cold days my mood was low and I could be fearful. Spring has been so wonderful to get out in the garden and achieve tasks on the to do list. My strength and energy is slowly improving and it feels so good to be doing things for the future eg sowing seeds for summer harvest and planting fruit trees for next years plums etc. Thank you for taking the time to make this video.

[@LizZorab]

I hope you are fully recovered now and that you'll be able to enjoy pottering outside over the next few months.

[@sura2047]

I wish it were this simple - I’d suggest; move to Australia! Even in winter; we get so much sunshine here, even in the southern states. I lived in England for a few years and when I experienced my first winter, I was shocked. I wasn’t used to how early it got dark, and how overcast it was all the time. It certainly affects one’s mood.

[@izzywizzy2361]

This year we moved to the seaside and we also live quite high up and the change in the light levels (so far🤞) has dramatically improved my mood. Usually by this time I would be feeling anxious hopeless and sluggish but none of that this year… amazing!

[@LizZorab]

Yes, l light levels have a huge impact on us!

[@amandahyde8900]

Yep have this , difficult to wake and just feel vlaaa. I keep busy and just go with the flow, also lounge in bed when I feel like it at weekends 😊 knowing that in a few months all will be good.

[@LizZorab]

Yes, in a few months it WILL all be good again!

[@Catsrule7]

Having dogs and chickens means I have to get up and about, and stick to a regular schedule. It helps and forces me outside even when, like this morning, it was bitterly cold and frosty. But one of the things that makes me depressed is that there is so much to do in my garden (1.5 acres), that I cannot do in the winter. I am in my late 70’s and love to garden but wish I could accomplish more over the winter months so I could have less stress in the Spring.

[@LizZorab]

I don't worry about weeds very much during the winter, if I lift them now, some other weedy plant will grow to take it's place.

[@ErnieCG]

I read in a magazine about sad and people using a light box to help them

[@LizZorab]

I've been using the light box since 2001. It really does help me.

[@lisaharrison2197]

Hornbeam is a Bach Flower Remedy for "Procrastination", nice choice xx I am ready to hibernate too xx

[@LizZorab]

I didn't know that, how appropriate!

[@NailahRoberts]

I call it my hibernation mode. I've just started using a light box.

[@LizZorab]

I hope the light box works for you, I find it wonderful!

[@lemonlime1780]

Thank you for making this video ❤ great ideas, and I'll be trying them out!

[@angelamatthews8190]

I haven't been officially diagnosed, but I have it. i get very sluggish, unmotivated, moody, blue etc in the cold dark months. I use a light box, although every year i realise i need to start using it earlier. Mine is extra complicated that I also am allergic to cold (not exaggerating - i have a multi-systemic allergic reaction to cold). if it's less than 5c outside, i can't go outside, no matter how well wrapped up i am. so here's me, stuck inside until at least next Wednesday. i do try to stand by the window when the sun is shining on it, though. and I rest a lot more than usual, and plan fewer things to do in a day.

[@Pam._G]

I'm pajama O'clock too in winter! 😅 I turn into a marmot! 😴

[@julienaturalhoofcare]

Hi Liz. Do you have a video on, or list of the recipes that you batch cook? I’m responsible for cooking for our household, but have days when I can’t even think of anything to cook. When I cook a meal suitable for freezing I make double and freeze. Just as Mr J describes, those frozen meals are a god send on days when I can’t face cooking. But I refuse to fill the freezer with horrible ready meals from the supermarket.

[@LizZorab]

Yes I do! Here's a batch cooking video kzbin.info/www/bejne/mpKmkIOpZp5qptU and here's a cawl recipe (which I often make with bacon rather than lamb) kzbin.info/www/bejne/rZWziaFqpsuKla8

[@melanieallen8980]

yes!! pyjama oclock!!😂

[@cherylhowker1792]

I must say , we know well I have depression and possibly sad too. And on the 10nov my 2 female dogs were spayed. I didn’t relise at the time that this was the right time to do it- had booked in may but dates collided with a holiday mum had booked for us. So I cancelled it and had to wait till 12weeks after the girls season’s. But by doing it now it’s ment that the girls have been on leads in the garden and I’ve not had the option to let them out I’ve physically had to walk them to do their business. And so I’ve noticed that atually I feel better for that 2-5 min wonder round ever few hours. And that’s what makes me wonder is I have sad, my brother is diagnosed with it and has a lomie light(not sure on the spelling) and he finds that really helps. It’s also helped as one of my girls is very energetic so in may it would have been hell for her, now I can say it’s raining no garden day- as in the summer the doors open all and and windows all night and she loves it- she would like access all year round all day long but I can’t pay the heating for that and I’m not freezing either lol. Thanks so much for this. I’m also going to share with my care team and show them. X

[@LizZorab]

Thank you for sharing the video with your care team. It's much appreciated.

[@cherylhowker1792]

@@LizZorab I also hope they will take some from it to help me- only had a meeting today about ways to be more structured as atm I feel there’s nothing and no reason but my dogs to get up.

[@SW-zt5mw]

I'm just across the bridge in Bristol and definitely more sluggish come this time of year, my hand as feeling it more than mentally right now, already cracked and bleeding. But definitely feel more down over winter. Think my hormones are still outta whack after having baby last year too so that wont be helping

[@LizZorab]

Congratulations for the birth of your baby!

[@debbiegibson6113]

Take vitamin K3, it will help your sad disorder. You will notice a difference.❤

[@LizZorab]

I take D3 and K2 as well as several other vitamins and minerals.

[@SuperMillybean]

Not sure why my comment was deleted? Was it because I included a link to a read poem?

[@LizZorab]

Comments with links are held until I have reviewed them.

[@jammydogger1]

Please ditch Chef Mike. He’ll ruin the food you’ve carefully grown 😢