Daylight Savings is falling upon a handful of time zones this weekend, which means shorter days and longer nights for the foreseeable future. Even if you are lucky enough to escape Daylight Savings, all those in the Northern Hemisphere are facing the winter blues in the coming months. We wanted to pull together some of our favorite tricks to get through the darker, shorter days. And for those who say winter is their favorite time of year, we salute you!
1/ Get outside.
Yes, outside, where it’s cold. We know this might sound counterintuitive at first, but your body still needs the fresh air and direct sunlight in the eyes to adapt its circadian rhythm to the new season. And movement (any movement) for the body is always a good idea when combating any seasonal depression. An hour long walk either early in the morning or midday can do just as much good as light therapy to blast away those winter blues.
2/ Light therapy.
Sun lamps are light boxes, or flat screens that produce full-spectrum fluorescent light, usually at an intensity of 10,000 lux. Most people get the best results when they use a sun lamp before 10 a.m. They should be used at the same time each day for 30 to 60 minutes a day.
3/ Eat seasonally.
Winter foods are winter foods for a reason. Mood boosting stews are not just a myth, but a necessity. Reach for more squash to get your magnesium and potassium, and stock up on sweet potatoes for B6 and biotin. Finally, add turmeric to all dishes as it combats immune-inflammatory responses, putting everything a little more at ease.
4/ Seek community.
We are still in need of community, even in the darker months. So reach out to friends and invite them on your daily walk or offer to cook them a Sunday stew, with turmeric, of course :)
