Brrrrrrrrr!!! It's bloody fall again....

[Poz50something]

I am constantly amazed how quickly it turns from warm summer temperatures to a cold bloody day. What I find, and it's always been the case since the day I came to Montreal in 2002, is that my libido plummets to close to nothing when the temp. goes down. I lived in Georgia from 1994 - 2001, and while everyone else around me loved the change from sweltering stickiness to wearing several layers to keep warm. I detested this, still do. I wonder if it has to de with being HIV+ or just the fact that I grew up near the Equator. I am also wondering if there is anything you could suggest to make this better, to gain some hold on the winter blues that I go through every single year. 

[BootmanLA]

1 hour ago, Poz50something said:

I am constantly amazed how quickly it turns from warm summer temperatures to a cold bloody day. What I find, and it's always been the case since the day I came to Montreal in 2002, is that my libido plummets to close to nothing when the temp. goes down. I lived in Georgia from 1994 - 2001, and while everyone else around me loved the change from sweltering stickiness to wearing several layers to keep warm. I detested this, still do. I wonder if it has to de with being HIV+ or just the fact that I grew up near the Equator. I am also wondering if there is anything you could suggest to make this better, to gain some hold on the winter blues that I go through every single year. 

It's odd because in my case, it's the exact opposite. I'm more of a Cole Porter kind of guy in that respect - when it's too darned hot, my libido plunges. Come spring or fall, things skyrocket. Winter, it depends on the circumstances (maybe because winters here are so irregular, bouncing between a low in the teens one night up to a high in the 60's or 70's a few days later). 

There is a documented condition called Seasonal Affective Disorder - it's a type of depression that typically sets in somewhere in fall or early winter. It may be triggered by the shortening of day length and less sunlight, which isn't a stretch - we know, for example, that bird migration is mostly triggered by day length, or photoperiod. Even in species that migrate earlier or later in the calendar than most, it seems that when day length reaches a certain point, it triggers something in their DNA to alter behavior.

I'd look into whether that could be your issue - there are treatments available, not just with medication but with other things like light boxes (exposing you to light that mimics sunlight, early in the morning, which seems to trigger chemical changes in the brain) and exercise. 

[topblkmale]

Good Vitamin D 😛

 

 

[negboyslut]

It may be that your body needs more energy to keep you warm, and puts testosterone production on the back burner I personally love the cold

[shinelover]

I had a roommate once who was diagnosed with SAD, and when he explained it to me I realized that I got like that, too. 

Something I've learned as I got older is that I can control the mental component. I could feel depressed and tired and experience a lack of libido. Now I just make more of an effort -I tell myself that I'm doing something sexual tonight and I do it. Keeping that up regularly has had a really strong effect on how I deal with my moods and energy now.

It's easy to get into a rut when you're feeling like this, so I started switching up my schedule just to force myself to do something different rather than the same old, same old. Now I find that I don't enjoy my old routine -I like the change better! And I feel better.

[hntnhole]

As an ex-Midwesterner, my sympathies to you guys.  I went through it for decades.  

This is why (well, one of the most important reasons) I moved to S. Florida.  It's still in the high 80's/low 90's, sunny, and will be up until T-day.  After the rainy season, it's "planting season", and I start with different things in the yards.  It's not for every guy, but it's for me.  

Yes, I know one day a storm will come along and blow us to kingdom cum, but until then, it's all good.  Point: make sure you ask the question of yourself (and other half, if applicable), which is, do I hate the cold enough to do something about it?.  Maybe a half & half setup?  There are tons of gay snowbirds who come for the cold season, and then go back home in the spring. 

One last enticement:  mortgage rates are falling, and the housing supply is plentiful.  

[PozBearWI]

I am not afflicted with SAD.  But the thing I most dislike about this half the year in the northern hemisphere is the short daylight.  I'm fine with the cold.  

[PozBearWI]

Each season brings on it's own possibility of pleasure and possibility of discomfort.  But isn't that true of all parts of our being alive?  I personally tend to like a life of variety and thus have done all sorts of different things; intentionally avoiding overdoing any one thing.  Having a stairwell at home is a built in "stairmaster" I don't need special clothes nor driving anywhere to use.  It's there for me all the time.  Organizing so that I don't have to use them constantly is easy to do.  Put my crap in the right place for what I am trying to do.  

It feels good to clean and put away my battery operated lawn mower for the winter; and to put my battery operated snow thrower in place to clear my driveway once the snows start up.  I can argue I have plenty of inside time posting here on BZ.  I focus on cooking different things; more winter stews and soups for example which seem to fit my winter appetite well.  And we're right AT that transition now.  Store tomatoes don't compare to what I harvest from my garden during July to Frost time.  I put away berries ripening at about a quart a day right now; that I will use in delicious ways during "the dark months" to come.  

I can clean my gas grill; renew any wear while that stuff is on closeout at ACE Hardware; and switch to stovetop and oven for my hot food needs.  

So yeah, sure, the daylight is getting shorter and temps are cooling down to freezing soon.  Right now outdoor temp and indoor temps are pretty much the same - the delight of Fall here!

[BlindRawFucker1]

PozBearWI

 

I love your pozitive outlook and your ability to make it through the winter so upbeat.

 

I wish I could.

[badjujuboy]

I grew up and went to college is sunny locations. Since I moved, fall and winter get to me now. We always plan a week at the beach in January or February to get some sun. I also try to get outside, even if it’s overcast with no sunglasses to get whatever vitamin D that I can. I also throw grow lights in a couple of lamps. 

Edited September 29 by badjujuboy