Even though I am a January baby, there are so many things I hate about the winter. I hate the cold (like really hate the cold), I hate how the last few months of the year go by in the blink of an eye, and I absolutely hate that Daylight Savings makes us lose an hour of sunlight. I get it, the practice was originally adopted to conserve energy during World War II, but it is 2024 can we all agree that it has no benefit now and just absolutely sucks?
Is it nice to be able to sleep in an extra hour? Sure. Is it worth the hour of sunlight we lose during a time when we’re already so susceptible to seasonal depression? Hell no. Any time of the year when the sun sets at 4 in the afternoon is a threat to my mental health.
But since it seems like Daylight Savings is going to be around for a long time, it’s probably a good idea to develop some sort of game plan so that we don’t feel like hopeless couch potatoes from November to February. Here are some tips to get through Daylight Savings ending without losing your damn mind.
we lose another hour of sunlight this sunday. for people w/ the winter blues, take your vitamin D, wake up earlier, more soups, more root vegetables, more journaling, more audio journaling, more exercise, and more therapy.
— holistic mami✨ (@LeArielleSimone) October 28, 2024
Wake Up Earlier
I know this sounds like a drag, but you’re going to want to catch as much of the daytime as you can (while you can). Waking up early is going to be hard the first few days, but once you get into a rhythm you’ll thank yourself for taking advantage of the sunlight.
Don’t Be Afraid Of The Dark
I know it’s so easy to think that if the sun isn’t out, you shouldn’t be either. But that’s not the case. So the sun sets at 4pm — who cares? Still make plans with your friends and be proactive about still hanging out with your loved ones. It can be so easy to want to hibernate during the winter months but trust me on this — go make plans!
Try To Avoid Naps
This one is tough for me too, so I get it. But for the next few months try prioritizing getting a full night’s sleep so that you’re not relying on naps. Naps during this time suck because you go to sleep in the sunlight and wake up and it’s dark out, which can really fuck with your mood (and sleep cycle).
Move Your Body… Even Just A Little
I know you hear this all the time, but it is not the time to become a couch potato. Moving your body even just a little bit every day is going to be a big help when it comes to warding off that seasonal depression.
Get A Hobby
Whereas in the summer your hobbies included drinking on rooftops, you may want to pick up some sort of craft or activity in the winter months. Having something to do after work can give you something to look forward to, and hey — you might just get really good at something!
Pick Up A Book
If you are veering more toward cozy, indoor time, just make sure you’re still using your brain. If you’ve been trying to hack away at your “to read” list, now’s the perfect time. Try switching up your usual genre and go for something educational or fantasy — anything that might feel new for you.
Rearrange Your Space
Need some sort of motivation to feel excited about the winter? Try moving around your furniture or putting up some new decor. Home improvement projects will keep you occupied. Plus, the more you invest in your space, the happier you’ll be spending time in it.
Set A Routine
Now’s the time to really lock in. The end of the year is coming, and aside from that, having some structure in your life right now can keep you from falling into the trap of just rotting all the time. Hold yourself accountable to some sort of schedule so that you feel productive and excited for your day.
Go Outside
I cannot stress this enough: go outside! You don’t have a lot of hours of sunlight right now so you should be embracing the time when you do as much as possible. Take a mid-day walk or start your mornings with a jog around the park. I know it’s cold, but suck it up — that’s why jackets exist.
