Happy end of Daylight Saving time this week! As a researcher of #wintertimemindset who lived in the #Arctic for a year (where the sun doesn't rise at all during the winter), here are some tips for adjusting to - and embracing - the winter darkness!
1. Embrace and adapt: a lot of our struggles with winter darkness come from not wanting to change our behavior at all, despite the fact that the world has changed. By changing our behavior with the seasons, we can work with them rather than fight against them.
This might mean that you're tired earlier this week - that's okay! If you can, take it easy on yourself this week and take this opportunity to go to bed earlier and get more sleep. Sleeping and resting more isn't problematic and doesn't mean that something is wrong.
If you have small children, their bedtime routines might be disrupted. Have a little extra patience and prepare for the fact that bedtime might take a little bit longer.
2. Find opportunities in the darkness! When it gets dark earlier, make that an opportunity to get cozy. Light candles, turn off your overhead lights, use only lamps. Invite the darkness in to make it special. Eat dinner or do yoga by candle light or dim lighting.
3. Give yourself something to look forward to! Order an extra pair of cozy jammies, make an extra delicious tea or cocktail, invite your (vaccinated!) friends over for dinner, watch a favorite movie: make this time special and something that feels celebratory.
4. Get light where you can! If you are an early riser, savor that extra morning sun. Take your lunch break outside, or take a midday walk if you can to experience the sunshine before the evening.
5. Go on a walk in the darkness! If you live somewhere safe, enjoy the peace and calm of bundling up and walking at night. See how your neighborhood or city looks different in the evening. Smell the crisp, cool air.
6. Commit to darkness and winter-positive small talk! When we say something out loud, it changes how we think about it. Instead of complaining about how early it gets dark out (we know, everybody knows), talk about what you're looking forward to doing at this time of year.
7. Embrace being indoors - think of the winter darkness as an opportunity: for cooking, reading, writing, practicing music, making art, baking cookies, or just binging Netflix - all things the darkness makes feel extra cozy.
Winter is full of opportunity if only we look for the opportunities, and leaning into the seasons, adapting with them, and using dark times as a chance to rest, reflect, and contemplate can make this time of year a peaceful reprieve. Have fun and happy dark season to us all!
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