January Greys and Moody Blues

New Year's Day 2024

The past month has been grey and dreary with only one half day of sunshine I can recall. When winter weather is mild, the Great Lakes have no ice cover and lake-effect clouds bring drizzle and flurries. This year El Niño is influencing the weather and our first significant snowfall didn't happen until New Year's Eve. We took our grandchildren sledding early in the day on January 1st before the snow became trampled and icy. The weather was less than inspiring!

Short winter days and inclement weather keep many people indoors and our mood can reflect the darkness of the season. The third Monday of January has been dubbed "Blue Monday", the most depressing day of the year in the northern hemisphere. Staff have been encouraged to wear bright clothes to work next week to bring some extra cheer to the hospital corridors.

I haven't been outdoors regularly this winter and have experienced uncustomary sleep issues. I bought a light therapy lamp and have been using it faithfully for thirty to forty-five minutes when I get up in the morning. Phototherapy, like sunlight, stimulates areas of the brain that affect mood, appetite and sleep. 

I cannot deny that winter weather has changed in southern Ontario during my lifetime. There used to be outdoor skating at a small lake in a downtown park for several weeks each winter. But we stopped getting the prolonged cold weather that kept the ice safe.  And last year was the first winter there was no ice skating on the Rideau Canal in Ottawa. Local ski hills are opening later and later each year. Snow cover brightens the winter landscape and if the Great Lakes freeze over we get more sunny days that make January and February beautiful. 

A winter storm dumped about 18 cm of snow in our city last evening but rain overnight melted about half of it. Colder temperatures are coming this week and, fingers crossed, perhaps we will have a real Canadian winter this year after all. I won't be skiing or skating but can look forward to walking some trails and doing a little winter birding. In the meantime, I will do my morning light therapy and look forward to slowly lengthening days as we inch toward spring solstice.

The only snowman so far this season! Courtesy of The Becka