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Blue Cthulhu
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Registered: 05/27/19
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Preparing for Winter, Mentally and Behaviorally 6
#28535980 - 11/09/23 04:53 PM (2 months, 17 days ago) |
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Hi,
So up here in upstate NY it's getting DARK again and COLD and the sky is getting that perpetual GRAY overcast thing going on, as it will here for 5-6 months of every year. It's depressing, de-energizing, causes me want to eat nonstop while awake and then sleep for 10 hours. Work is always tough, but in the winter the word "drag" is an understatement to try and describe the misery of some days. And it's not just me, probably at least 75% of the people I know complain heavily about it. There's a reason alcohol abuse rates are so much higher in places like Alaska and Russia.
Anyways, just thought I'd make a post and see if anyone else here is trying to cope with their dread of winter by coming up with an actionable plan to mitigate the negative aspects and capitalize on any positives. Here's some of my personal ideas, so far:
- Quit alcohol completely for the next several months. Never a huge fan of this substances, but in winter I tend to take longer to recover from its toxic effects.
- Get in the habit of going to bed an hour earlier than I do in summer. This because daylight savings time has ended, and I've noticed I have more energy if I wake closer to daybreak in the am, and besides the darkness after 5pm makes me want to sleep anyways.
- Make a point going for short to moderate nature walks and hikes, even if it's freeze your ass off cold out there. The nature is good for me, and I tend to neglect it in winter in favor of cocooning at home. The quiet stillness of nature in winter can be truly special.
- Incorporate more cardio workouts into my weekly routine - the kind that really get you sweating and the body warmed up with all it's juices flowing.
- Follow a more Ayurvedic winter-geared diet, with lots of root vegetables, oily fish, stews and soups, and warming spices.
- Give more time and space to creativity, including simple art and writing projects that capitalize on that deep stillness of that comes my side of Earth tilts away from Father Sun.
- Almost forgot: keep up my ice cold showers in the morning (ala Wim Hoff) - there is definitely something to the claim that these give you a shot of dopamine.
Yes, sometimes I'm a bit obsessive about my health, but I do still plan to have my fun, parties, wild psychedelic journeys... and leave room for the unexpected.
-------------------- "Things are true that I forget, but no one taught that to me yet." A disembodied-re-embodied consciousness be-ing (With all the accoutrements.)
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loladoreen


Registered: 05/25/20
Posts: 5,327
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Re: Preparing for Winter, Mentally and Behaviorally [Re: Blue Cthulhu]
#28536891 - 11/10/23 09:53 AM (2 months, 17 days ago) |
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Excellent plan
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“One doesn’t have to operate with great malice to do great harm. The absence of empathy and understanding are sufficient.”
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Blue Cthulhu
Undefined


Registered: 05/27/19
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Re: Preparing for Winter, Mentally and Behaviorally [Re: loladoreen] 1
#28537220 - 11/10/23 01:55 PM (2 months, 16 days ago) |
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The long shadows and bare beauty of November


-------------------- "Things are true that I forget, but no one taught that to me yet." A disembodied-re-embodied consciousness be-ing (With all the accoutrements.)
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LogicaL Chaos
Ascension Energy & Alien UFOs




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Re: Preparing for Winter, Mentally and Behaviorally [Re: Blue Cthulhu] 1
#28538086 - 11/11/23 05:12 AM (2 months, 16 days ago) |
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Great list. I feel like you nailed the best habits to do.
Theres an Annon thread in this forum all about the misery of the cold and how the lack of ways to create dopamine is the reason why Winter is so mentally tough and depressing.
On the art aspect, i would recommend video games (if you are into them). While indoors, video games can take you to magical places that "feel" warm, inviting, comforting, pleasant.
Getting into any crafting art would be a great outlet to create some good feels.
Any natural ways to generate dopamime in the brain is going to be really critical during Winter. One of my favorite things to do during Winter is melting fragrance wax. The smell is so pleasant to me. Perhaps its because Winter has so little scents in the air usually. Truly aromatherapy to have all the scents available to buy or even make at home (art project).
I think the sleep thing is really important. Ive found theres a sweet spot of when to sleep and when to be awake. And being awake during the brightest part of the day does indeed help with mental health in my experience.
Thanks for sharing Blue Cthulhu
-------------------- "What you must understand is that your physical dimension affects everyone in the higher dimensions as well. All things are interconnected. All things are One. Therefore, if one dimension is broken or out of balance, then all other dimensions will experience repercussions." - Pleiadian Prophecy 2020 The New Golden Age by James Carwin PROJECT BLUE BOOK ANALYSIS! (312 pages!) | Psychedelics & UFOs | Ready to Contact UFOs? | The Source on Mushrooms | Trippy Gematrix | Dj TeknoLogical | Fentanyl Test Kits R.I.P. Big Worm || The Start of the Ascension Process was 2020. Welcome to the Next Great Era of Earth 🌎🌍🌏
  Oregon Eclipse Festival 2017 :: Aug 19th - 21st :: Pure Paradise   Very Effective LSA Extraction Tek | 💧 Advanced Cold Water LSA Extraction Method 💧 |  Mescajuana - Mescaline with Marijuana | DMT Dab Bongs | UFO Technology! Shpongle
     
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Blue Cthulhu
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Re: Preparing for Winter, Mentally and Behaviorally [Re: LogicaL Chaos] 1
#28538455 - 11/11/23 10:22 AM (2 months, 16 days ago) |
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Thanks for the response L.C.! Funny you mention video games, I've been thinking about getting back into that world, and finding something I can really sink my mind into... I have nostalgia for some of the more puzzle based games back in the day, like Zelda.
Great take on fragrances. Reminds me of this Tibetan juniper incense I used to burn especially in winter months, because it created such a homey, warm atmosphere that was simultaneously sacred feeling. Gonna order some of that now...
-------------------- "Things are true that I forget, but no one taught that to me yet." A disembodied-re-embodied consciousness be-ing (With all the accoutrements.)
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mandrax360
Woodchipper Deluxe


Registered: 09/20/11
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Re: Preparing for Winter, Mentally and Behaviorally [Re: Blue Cthulhu] 1
#28538608 - 11/11/23 11:48 AM (2 months, 16 days ago) |
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Here in the North East of England it's grim over winter. Go to work in the dark, come home in the dark. Rain 🌧 and some more rain with a bit of snow mixed in . Hate the winter here . But a few years back I think I nailed the winter blues .
Use to grow weed in my greenhouse during the year and winter was my time to really enjoy the fruits of my labour. Autumn I'd pick Lib caps for over the winter to enjoy on special days out .
Special days out was fishing, pike fishing. Would get up really early. Drive for up to 2 hours depending on location. All wrapped up and ready to deadbait or lure fish I never had a bad day out . Even if I blanked I was happy, just getting out was making my mood better.
For some unknown reason life got in the way and I missed 2 winters fishing in a row and it's took it's toll on my mental health. Think I need to sort my gear out and wet a line again.
That excitement of a fish running off with your trace, leaning back into it and feeling it kick . I the back of your mind you're already judging it weight and size , excitement still rushing through your head and the fish makes its way to the surface and you catch a glimpse of hope. Hope of a double or even 20 plus pounder, you get it close to the bank . Ready to net the beast and savor that moment, just for a moment then back in the water she goes only to be caught another day by someone looking for that same thrill.
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Blue Cthulhu
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Re: Preparing for Winter, Mentally and Behaviorally [Re: mandrax360] 2
#28539209 - 11/11/23 07:17 PM (2 months, 15 days ago) |
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Takes grit to fish in the winter, I imagine. I've always been curious about the ice fishers out there, their blood must run thicker or something...
-------------------- "Things are true that I forget, but no one taught that to me yet." A disembodied-re-embodied consciousness be-ing (With all the accoutrements.)
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Patchouli_Savage


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Re: Preparing for Winter, Mentally and Behaviorally [Re: Blue Cthulhu] 3
#28539266 - 11/11/23 07:46 PM (2 months, 15 days ago) |
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My first hurdle is always preparing for winter. Make sure the snow blower is in tip top condition to handle the chest high piles of snow the plows throw into my driveway, meaning screws are tightened, oil is changed, gas tank inspected, cleaned and HEET run through as well as any other repairs that need to be made made. Car has got winter safe washer fluid. Salt bucket on the steps. Loose pieces of siding fixed. Ductwork inspected and foil tape applied to any gaps. Furnace filter changed.
I'm almost done. Just need to do my car kit and get gas for the snowblower, fire it up and make sure I did my repairs correctly. Also need to cut a piece of OSB for a ramp to get my blower in and out of the shed. After that I can plastic my windows and call it good.
I do lots of arts and crafts and baking in the winter. Got my snowshoes out and my cross country skis ready.
I try to take walks outside, but have a treadmill so I can get some cardio in too. Got a little gym set up in the basement.
I usually go through a bout of depression. It passes. Exercise and creative projects help.
It's already dark super early. I work midnights anyways.
-------------------- "You are a ghost driving a meat coated skeleton made from stardust. What do you have to be scared of?"
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Blue Cthulhu
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Re: Preparing for Winter, Mentally and Behaviorally [Re: Patchouli_Savage]
#28541253 - 11/13/23 08:57 AM (2 months, 14 days ago) |
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Sounds like you’ve been through a few winters already and have some practice! Great ideas, good rituals as far as feeling prepared rather than letting winter sneak up on you and ambush you.
Sometimes I just give into the depression, let myself become a potato for a while and do the bare minimum and, like you said, it eventually passes. Easier to do this when you’ve laid a good foundation for yourself before winter hits.
-------------------- "Things are true that I forget, but no one taught that to me yet." A disembodied-re-embodied consciousness be-ing (With all the accoutrements.)
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LogicaL Chaos
Ascension Energy & Alien UFOs




Registered: 05/12/07
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Re: Preparing for Winter, Mentally and Behaviorally [Re: Blue Cthulhu] 1
#28542036 - 11/13/23 09:28 PM (2 months, 13 days ago) |
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One of my favorite parts of Winter is smelling all the wood smoke from people's houses. Always cheers me up. Good call Blue!
I have a friend that has been dropping Acid dvery weekend and just having a blast on Cloud 9! Psychedelic drugs are a great medicine during these sad, depressing, dark season.
Another good one is entertainment such as music videos on YT or comedic Animes or new movies or TV shows. I like em light-hearted and colorful to cheer me up!
Another important is sex. If you have a method of getting regular sex, do it! Its medicine. But any outlet of sexual release helps (videos, photos, live streams, erotic clubs, etc). Its important to not neglect your own sexual needs.
-------------------- "What you must understand is that your physical dimension affects everyone in the higher dimensions as well. All things are interconnected. All things are One. Therefore, if one dimension is broken or out of balance, then all other dimensions will experience repercussions." - Pleiadian Prophecy 2020 The New Golden Age by James Carwin PROJECT BLUE BOOK ANALYSIS! (312 pages!) | Psychedelics & UFOs | Ready to Contact UFOs? | The Source on Mushrooms | Trippy Gematrix | Dj TeknoLogical | Fentanyl Test Kits R.I.P. Big Worm || The Start of the Ascension Process was 2020. Welcome to the Next Great Era of Earth 🌎🌍🌏
  Oregon Eclipse Festival 2017 :: Aug 19th - 21st :: Pure Paradise   Very Effective LSA Extraction Tek | 💧 Advanced Cold Water LSA Extraction Method 💧 |  Mescajuana - Mescaline with Marijuana | DMT Dab Bongs | UFO Technology! Shpongle
     
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glanmit
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Re: Preparing for Winter, Mentally and Behaviorally [Re: LogicaL Chaos] 1
#28550360 - 11/20/23 01:52 PM (2 months, 6 days ago) |
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I just hate winter: it seems like half of the season is spent dealing with a persistent running nose and a nagging cough. However, being a frequent patron of the partner pharmacy has its silver lining. I've amassed a collection of all imaginable flu medications at home, making it my seasonal ritual to stock up on remedies to combat the winter blues.
Edited by glanmit (11/29/23 12:36 AM)
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Asante
Mage


Registered: 02/06/02
Posts: 86,795
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Re: Preparing for Winter, Mentally and Behaviorally [Re: Blue Cthulhu]
#28551807 - 11/21/23 04:33 PM (2 months, 5 days ago) |
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Very good wholesome idea.
you can augment this by, like a squirrel, take a winter supply of foods, drink, that nice fleece blanket etc etc.
food prices will go up, you know it, no problem, you have a supply. road is nothing but ice or snowed in? no problem, you have a supply. Household gets the flu? you have a supply. Got a personal economic setback and you gotta not buy stuff till next paycheck? your Old folks at your doorstep with suitcases, evicted? Some kind of disaster thing? You have a supply.
Making a supply can be some designated shopping trips, or chronically buying more than you need with every trip, to put aside.
You're welcome.
-------------------- Omnicyclion.org higher knowledge starts here
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RJ Tubs 202



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Re: Preparing for Winter, Mentally and Behaviorally [Re: Asante] 1
#28553118 - 11/22/23 06:00 PM (2 months, 4 days ago) |
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If you are going to spend the day alone, it can help to create a bit of structure and have a plan. I'm not talking about a rigid itinerary. For example, I will do laundry, eat breakfast, and watch a movie before noon. Then go for a walk, call a family member, go purchase new clothes for work. Etc. Sometimes I write my plan on a little white board. It helps me remember what is important.
My most difficult winter days are when I have no plan and just drift around. Sometimes my mind convinces me the liquor store would relieve my boredom and provide some excitement. I took a hot bath today, for the first time in months. That was nice.
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Forest Spirit
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Re: Preparing for Winter, Mentally and Behaviorally [Re: RJ Tubs 202] 2
#28554621 - 11/24/23 04:02 AM (2 months, 3 days ago) |
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Yes, quit drinking. I quit smoking and drinking thanks to Alan Carr books.
Pick up yoga or better ChiQong or something. Avoid blue screens. Extend your practices into spring and summer and keep up whole year in sane good shape.
After Northern Sweden i am in Northern Poland, 10 latitudes down. It is rainy and wet snow but for it is like Puerto Rico!
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LogicaL Chaos
Ascension Energy & Alien UFOs




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Re: Preparing for Winter, Mentally and Behaviorally [Re: Forest Spirit] 1
#28556115 - 11/25/23 02:49 PM (2 months, 1 day ago) |
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I feel like winter clothes are an important part too.
Today Im gonna shop for a nice thick fleeced winter hoodie. When im underdressed in Winter, it really kinda sucks. But when im slightly "Overdressed", its actually quite comfortable and makes winter not as bad. Fleece pants definitely help but a nice warm coat makes all the difference.
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mandrax360
Woodchipper Deluxe


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Re: Preparing for Winter, Mentally and Behaviorally [Re: LogicaL Chaos] 2
#28556662 - 11/26/23 02:05 AM (2 months, 1 day ago) |
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Quote:
LogicaL Chaos said: I feel like winter clothes are an important part too.
Today Im gonna shop for a nice thick fleeced winter hoodie. When im underdressed in Winter, it really kinda sucks. But when im slightly "Overdressed", its actually quite comfortable and makes winter not as bad. Fleece pants definitely help but a nice warm coat makes all the difference.
Nothing beats feeling warm and cozy in winter. You can wear just enough clothing to stay warm in winter but can never remove enough clothing in summer to stop you sweating your balls off in public without getting arrested for indecent exposure.
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Blue Cthulhu
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Re: Preparing for Winter, Mentally and Behaviorally [Re: mandrax360] 2
#28557139 - 11/26/23 12:30 PM (2 months, 1 day ago) |
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Don't forget chocolate!
Ditto on the clothing aspect. I greatly enjoy my merino wool thermal underwear, tight and soft against the skin creating that nice inner layer of warmth.
Reflecting more as we move towards the solstice, and am seeing/feeling the importance of settling into a more winter "rhythm," that is akin to slowing down, letting the mind be more still (like ice on the surface of a mountain lake), and letting the energy settle into the roots of our being. My lower back gives me signals to rest and recuperate.
-------------------- "Things are true that I forget, but no one taught that to me yet." A disembodied-re-embodied consciousness be-ing (With all the accoutrements.)
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Blue Cthulhu
Undefined


Registered: 05/27/19
Posts: 495
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Re: Preparing for Winter, Mentally and Behaviorally [Re: Blue Cthulhu] 1
#28557140 - 11/26/23 12:31 PM (2 months, 1 day ago) |
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Forest Spirit mentioned Qigong, which I am a big fan of. I have heard that the Bear movements from the 5 Animal Frolics are very supportive of winter energies, very good for the kidneys which are the thematic organ of winter in Traditional Chinese Medicine.
-------------------- "Things are true that I forget, but no one taught that to me yet." A disembodied-re-embodied consciousness be-ing (With all the accoutrements.)
Edited by Blue Cthulhu (11/26/23 12:32 PM)
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loladoreen


Registered: 05/25/20
Posts: 5,327
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Re: Preparing for Winter, Mentally and Behaviorally [Re: Blue Cthulhu]
#28557330 - 11/26/23 02:40 PM (2 months, 22 hours ago) |
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Quote:
Blue Cthulhu said: Don't forget chocolate!
Ditto on the clothing aspect. I greatly enjoy my merino wool thermal underwear, tight and soft against the skin creating that nice inner layer of warmth.
Reflecting more as we move towards the solstice, and am seeing/feeling the importance of settling into a more winter "rhythm," that is akin to slowing down, letting the mind be more still (like ice on the surface of a mountain lake), and letting the energy settle into the roots of our being. My lower back gives me signals to rest and recuperate.
Such an important thing that should never be over looked. CHOCOLATE
--------------------
“One doesn’t have to operate with great malice to do great harm. The absence of empathy and understanding are sufficient.”
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