I'm not sure what they call it nowadays, but you used to be able to buy fluorescent lamps that simulated the color spectrum of natural sunlight. It was supposed to combat SAD, but opinions were mixed.

I just read something recently about them having mixed results.

Old guy told me an early winter means early spring.

… do a good job with me. I take 10,000 IU per day.

I am not a doctor. YMMV.

Alas, I've rarely had the opportunity to try it.

Winter Solstice is on December 21!!!!

My Aunt Lil would walk around the block, [Chicago]
in the morning, in summer and winter, everyday.

I am always cold, but since I walk, outside,
20-30 minutes, I rarely get that chill.
I use trekking poles because it helps my breathing.
If it's bad weather, I do physical therapy exercises, inside.

Since I have been doing this, I am
more accepting of the early darkness.

The assisted living place I'm in the hall is a good city block long, and I walk it often 6xs, 8xs, 10xs back and forth.
We have lovely back yard that I go to about mid April through mid Oct.

I might try walking to a particular section up around the corner of my nabe in later April. In my previous (also Bronx) neighborhood I had a smallish park I could walk about 3-4 blocks uphill to after 2 block walk to get to that hill.

I used to love walking around my Brooklyn neighborhood which was nearish to the northern end of Prospect Park, and before that Grand Army Plaza and the nabe one next to it in thevother direction. Previously to that for many years I had a big park that was about 4 blocks away. Glorious.

Covid really messed w most of us to various annoying, upsetting to tragic degrees [my peeps were very lucky], and it threw my whole walking routine out whack never totally restored.
Going to try and do better this coming year!.

Anyway...yes, I saw someone 15+ yrs back using those treking poles. I think I asked them, and seemed to be a European thing to use.
Do you think that since they engage your upper body that; that improves your breathing?

My trekking poles, sticks, get my ribs and back up over my hips.
My muscles are in working mode, not in a brace.
I put my arms and sticks about 45 degrees, rather than
straight forward because this opens my front rib cage.
I try to pinch my shoulder blades.
That gets my slumping shoulders back toward my spine.
In this posture, I am able to breathe deeper.
I don't go for speed but perfection.
The sticks make my walking look like nordic track.
And my sticks help me to keep standing when my muscles get exhausted.
That's Me, 82 and growing.
I remember lots of instructions on YouTube.
Get the adjustable, tight locking and *lightest* sticks you can.
I hope this helps you.

How inventive to improve your breathing, snd get exercise.

I don't need them at all. However should I decide to consider them bc useful to add upper body work while walking- I'll take your advice!
I'll take a quick now to get a feel for them.

Question. You're pointing them 45° angling forwards?

It widens my shoulders out because I naturally curl forward on top of my curled rib cage.

not forward of my hips. not ____o--- This keeps my breathing shallow.
not wide/right angle, to left and right. not ____Io
____ is legs and body,
/,---, I, is arms, o head

You Tube
Rogue Valley Manor
Modified Nordic Technique for Older Adults
*They show the proper way, the right way.
I also add HIIT twice a week. Check that out.
Enjoy.

Just came across 4x4 and have tried it twice.
So it's an interesting change.
I plan to alternate HIIT and 4x4.
I have an 800 ft driveway to the street.
Now I walk to the street slow, warm-up, one 4x4, then slow, cool-down.
I will be adding more 4x4 when I am more comfortable with the routine.
I fit these different exercises to my ability.
I just got a smart watch that I am learning to read.
I alternate days of physical therapy vs walking.
*Better to wear out than grow rusty.*

I take antidepressants all year around to keep my major depressive disorder from rearing its ugly head, but there are always stretches of time during the winter months when I'm tired all the time and want to sleep a LOT more than usual. So far, it has never lasted long enough to cause serious concern, but I may bring it up at my next appointment with my psychiatrist to see what he says.

Namely, that my life sucks across the board and therefore the depression and lack of motivation is a constant all year long, not just during the holidays.

It is hard to feel down when there is nowhere lower to go. Which, interestingly enough, can help cancel out some of the depressive feelings.

Luckily, I usually do know that my life doesn't suck all the way around.

Lucky you.

Oh, I've had my share of sucky times! And starting young at 5 1/2.
On balance definitely more good times than bad.
So, yeah, some genuine good luck!