Why does winter bring boredom, lack of entertainment and sullen moods?

Winter blues are great in the way that it connects you with simpler pleasures.

Where are you? (Country, continent…)

Oh hi, sorry – i edited the question.
@Jeruba Location: Canberra, Australia.

So your question now is really “why”? Because I don’t think it does for everyone. Or are you mainly looking for some suggestions and advice?

In Phoenix, Arizona, winter has the opposite effects of what you described in your details. We relish the cooler temperatures after 3 to 4 months of triple digit summer temperatures. Winter is the time when we go golfing, camping, hiking, and enjoy most outdoor activities because the weather is so beautiful. It’s also the time that snowbirds from various states in America come down to Arizona to spend their entire winters.

It is our summer months that bring on our boredom, lack of entertainment, and sullen moods. To counteract this, we find any place we can that has good air conditioning and a good supply of water to stay hydrated. Once those necessities are met, then we go looking for entertainment.

I think it’s because our circadian rhythms are still very strong and in winter, we’re to be resting more than modern life allows.

The cold weather in itself can depress some people…I just hide and wait for spring

For me it’s just dreary outside, so when I’m already in a bad mood, and I see that, I just feel worse. If I’m in a good mood, then it doesn’t matter that much.

Of course in summer, the same thing happens, when the sun is shining, and I walk outside and see everything, it just looks so beautiful, and I feel so happy to be alive. I miss that right now. We haven’t had a sunny day for a while now.

Different strokes, I guess- I love fall and winter and dread summertime.

I spent several years living in Canberra back in the 70s and 80s, I never found it boring, there always seemed to be something to do.

Winter invigorates me. I love the cold and snow. It doesn’t matter what time of year it is though, I will always find something to do outside.

Look up seasonal affective disorder. Possible causes of that would probably lead to a scientific answer. (Lack of light, lack of serotonin, etc.)

@hungryhungryhortence: I’m with you. Summer is dreadful. It makes me all mopey and lethargic.

Each season has its beauty. I think that winter is best experienced when it snows and snows and snows. Then you can go playing in the snow. Of course, too much snow and you’re stuck indoors…. I can only imagine how awful that must be.

I agree with @MacBean and @hungryhungryhortence.

In the Summer it’s hot, sticky and oppresive. There’s no breeze and the air quality is terrible. I feel lethargic all of July and August. And, it makes me cranky (which is never good).

I’ll take Autumn and Winter any day.

I’m in Boston, by the by

I would hop on over to Perisher Blue and do some snowboarding. If you are not skilled at boarding or skiing, try ski boards, that is like a small version of a snow board for each foot. They are easy to learn and so much fun!

Or you could move to the Top End where the weather is now sunny and boringly perfect until November or so.

I am in the same camp as @Saturated_Brain. I love the variety of the seasons and find something of beauty in each of them.

I just moved from Florida where it is perpetually summer, essentially. I am thrilled to be back to a place where fall and winter will come in their time.

I look forward to smuggling deliciously under flannel sheets and lots of covers.

I look forward to hot tea and hot cocoa in the evening—so cozy.

I look forward to looking out the window at the sharply etched landscape of winter with skeletal trees, crisp snow, painfully blue skies.

I eagerly await . . .

Christmas. It just never felt right in Florida. I could never get in the mood.

the fun of bundling up and taking a brisk walk when you can see your breath.

the incredibly delicate and infinitely various beauty of thin sheets of ice on water or encasing plants.

a delicious fire; a bowl of thick, hearty stew.

I think Pete may well be right, and you should consider whether your blues go beyond the usual into a case of SAD.

For me it was definitely not enough sunshine, plus a deep-rooted aversion to being cold and a lack of talent for most winter sports. I solved my problem by moving to South Texas, where “winter” happens on about three days a year.