Sun deprived…

I have lived in Ottawa for the last 14 years and according to ottawa.weatherstats.ca, we get 303.38 days of sun a year… It may be -30 but it will be sunny!

It might be -30 but there will be sun!

I presently am in Navenby, England and since I arrived May 1st we have only had about 14 days of sun and that was, mostly, all at once…. therefore making the other 6 weeks bleak, dreary and wet. I still have a month to go….

My roommate Roberta said to me the other day, “you are noticeably different when the sun is shining”.  I know this to be true.  It is not that I am moody, or terse but rather quiet and withdrawn.  As soon as the sun comes out, I am bubbly and chatty….Roberta may argue TOO chatty

I have been complaining about the weather (as have the Brits) but by no means am I letting it affect my visit here.  I learned, from having lived in Vancouver for 2 years, that if you don’t go out while it is raining, you may never will!

What do you do when you are affected by lack of sun? (And asking the locals is not going to help as they don’t know what you are talking about, I mean they live here 12 months of the year, right?)  Well, although I am no expert, these are my secrets:

1. Take Vitamin D supplements.  Vitamin D deficiency is not something you want to end up with.
2. Be sure to get a good nights sleep.  Being tired AND having no sun will just make you feel worse.
3. Take advantage of the sunny days.  For example I am writing this blog on the back patio (although the clouds are fast approaching!)  If there is sun, drop what you are doing and get out in it… take a walk, ride a bike, run errands, whatever, just get out in it!  Also strip down! Show as much skin as is legal so that your skin can absorb that Vitamin D.
   

   Clouds fast approaching

4. If is not sunny but not raining, which often seems to be the case here, then also get outside.  Some of my best photos have been taken on an overcast day.
5. Keep busy.  Sitting inside, staring out a window will only make you more disagreeable.
   

   Staring at the rain

6. Lastly, buy an umbrella or raincoat because you are going to have to get used to the rain.

When you make a choice to live in another country, you have to adapt to everything about it, including the weather.  So if you find yourself in a place, for a short period of time, that lack sunny days, do not despair… You can use my ideas, or google professional solutions but ultimately find something that works for you.

Worship that sun!

I am sure you have other suggestions, so please feel free to share them with us below.