Anyone else dreading this year's fall/winter? What do you have in store to stay healthy and sane this year?

Maybe at about Thanksgiving time in the U.S., we could all just take a shot of whiskey together, and swear we will never mention the year 2020 again, not ever.
And never mention the things that happened to us, leaving out how we feel about it.

Renaming the year 2020 1/2.

Exited FB today, shut down all systems until Christmas. To the extent that I did not close it entirely. Unfriended e v e r y o n e, blocked others. "Hide post", and "Hide Ads" was one at a time, until there are no posts left.

It was required for my sanity. I could no longer watch as even extended family lost their minds. How will I get this out of my mind? The last post(s) were a picture of a gift box of poop (ribbon too), suggesting you can send it to your enemies. Just the next day, a bowl of browned sausages, did not look appetizing, actually, there was not too much difference between the two photos. Apologies, I am still angry at the ignorance of many.

And, is this a freudian slip, or what? An elderly couple come down with Covid. Many send 'get-well' wishes. One said: "Hope your suffering is short-lived."
Really? Short-lived?

Peel me off the ceiling now, I am going to be okay. Everytime I might think I need FB, I will walk outside.

I would read the Bible everyday, keep close to God so my "happiness" is not dependent on external events or people. They are fickle and offer only temporary satisfaction. When you are grounded inGod's word, it's like having a reliable and constant companion forever who comforts, guides and sustains through all of life's ups and downs.

I've never been on FB, never will be.  I've never seen any use for it other than as a data gathering and leveraging method for Marcus Aurelius Zuckerberg and his emperor type goals.

Dear "Martz06,"

Yes, this year's fall/winter season will be more difficult especially for those who live in colder climates. We happen to live in a warm climate year round so it's a little easier to do some things.

We try to do a lot of walking around places that have a manmade lake or pond so we are getting exercise as well as fresh air. We like to listen to soft, instrumental music that doesn't have commercials that break the mood. We don't watch the news - we just try to read the headlines so we at least know what's going on but, don't want to be immersed in it.

My husband and I like to take short little trips on Sundays and since we like coffee, we try to find a different coffeehouse drive-thru and try something different. Actually, my husband has been trying different teas and smoothies and then we go find a park to sit on a bench. When we get home, I make some snacks and we rent a movie. We haven't been going to restaurants like we used to so we will occasionally get some takeout for a break.

It's the exercise that is most beneficial for depression and it has to be something you like to do or you may do it once or twice and then give up. We also started to play charades which ends up making us laugh at each other.

Wishing you good health and a "sane" fall and winter season!

I like to sew and quilt so for me, that works and keeps me busy and sane. There are a lot of good ideas here as well. So many things we can do to try to avoid winter/Covid depression. I take dogs to dog park almost every day even in cold weather. If it were not for the dogs, I might go days without going outside so it is good to have them. My kids don't live in my state so that will make holidays very difficult this year but I am working on emptying the house out and painting prior to moving next year.

SAD = Seasonal Affective Disorder
😳

It is a real thing!

Whatever one decides to do, be sure to dress up. One can never be too rich, or too dressed up.

I started shaking the family tree a couple of years ago, and found that very interesting. On my Dad's side, up to over 4k people as I included aunts... uncles.... cousins.... cousins once, twice, up to 5x removed [whatever that means].... their kids.... their kids' kid.... yada, yada, yada. Found some in-laws and a couple of out-laws [oops].

So very fascinating. I am a member of Ancestry.com and that has given me so much material to work with. Plus I am a member of Newspapers.com which can fill up time if searching a common surname like Smith.... and where I found a far off relative arrested for bootlegging.

Something to think about. Good if you have a desk top computer to use :)

I have been thinking about the upcoming winter season and my mental health. I started “comfort decorating”.... bringing out items that bring me joy. I love clear twinkle lights... I have put a few strands in unique places... on a bookshelf, across my desk, etc... they are very warm and cozy... I look forward to plugging them in each day! I also bought a few scented jar candles.

I started watching videos on YouTube from Little Poet. This lady is amazing. She is 65... had to completely start her life over 7 years ago with no money, no job. She has some great ideas about dealing with all kinds of issues. She is definitely into comfort decorating. I got the the clear twinkle lights idea from her. You might really enjoy watching her videos. They are sincere.

i purchased an Oculus Quest 2 and with it, I am traveling the world.
it is mind blowing. If you get one, go to AirPano on YouTube VR . You can go to Petra in Jordan. Ride a Gondola in Venice. Greenland! Paris! NYC! And then there are games, of course.But also social Venues where you can gather your friends or family. And no masks!