She likes preparing for season changes.
7 tactics to help curve the daylight savings blues.
Fall is one of my favorite seasons. Beautiful foliage, sunday football, cozy sweaters and breaking out the crockpot for soup season are just a few things that make this time of year so enjoyable. But for me, autumn isn’t just pumpkin spice and all things nice. With sunset encroaching earlier and earlier each night, the limited sunlight reminds me that daylight savings is right around the corner, and I’ll soon be holding my breath to make it home from work before it’s totally dark out.
Historically, I have always struggled with some degree of seasonal depression or “winter blues”. Its been a journey and a process, but I’ve invested a lot into resolving the rocky transition from long summer days to short winter ones, and now aim to face the changing seasons with gusto.
Here are 7 things that have helped me curve the short day blues.
Exercise. The winter blues can easily leave me feeling low energy & wanting to sleep more, so the importance of having a structured block of time in my day for some form of physical movement is a must. A 20 minute walk outside, YouTube instructed yoga class, or a trip to the gym is a great way to elevate energy levels and your mood.
Staying social. It can be so easy to stay home and channel our inner introvert during the long winter months. Prioritizing social activities is extremely important to avoid complete isolation during dark days. If making plans with friends and family doesn’t always work logistically, pick up the phone and FaceTime or call that person you’ve been meaning to re-connect with!
Eat nourishing foods. It’s natural for us to crave all of our favorite comfort foods when shifting seasons. Find a balance and incorporate plenty of colorful fruits and vegetables into your diet. This paired with ample hydration will help keep your energy levels up during a time that your couch seems more inviting than normal.
Let the light in. Get outside as much as you possibly can during daylight hours. Bundle up and take a walk to get that vital Vitamin D. Take advantage of what light is there. When indoors, open up the blinds and let the light in. I always add a few lights to my interior decor during the winter months as well for added brightness. A new table lamp, or my favorite trick, fun Christmas lights in my office during the winter months.
Romanticize winter activities. This is where a shift in mindset is vital. It takes some extra effort, but looking at the glass half full when referring to cold, dark winter months is a must. What are things you can only do in the wintertime and can’t do any other time of year? Compile that list and get excited. The holidays, ice skating, cozy sweaters & blankets, soup season, sledding, hot cocoa, winter sports, etc. Idolize the novelty of the season.
Plan a vacation or staycation. Having a special get-away or trip to look forward to is a great motivator to count down the winter days and keep your eyes on the light at the end of the tunnel. This doesn’t always have to mean a luxurious tropical location, either. Plan a staycation at home right in your local area. Create a full itinerary of things to do or fun restaurants you’ve wanted to try, treat it no differently than a regular vacation.
Prioritize self care. Knowing that I struggle through winter months, I use it as the perfect opportunity to give myself some extra self care and love. It’s now helped me switch my mindset from dreading the cold months to looking forward to the added time I get to invest in myself. Draw a hot bath, try out a new face mask from target, buy yourself a new fuzzy blanket, experiment with new cozy recipes. Use it as your time to recharge for the upcoming busy seasons ahead.
A positive mindset will get you far. Engage in activities that are heartwarming and stress reducing, and seek the beauty of each season.
Best x Hailey
Meet the Author!
She likes milk. And her dogs, cooking, baking, life on the lake, health & wellness + more!