Photo Courtesy of Vlada Karpovich- Pexels
For many, daylight savings marks the beginning of seasonal depression. To avoid the pitfalls of seasonal depression, take a look at these strategies!
I, along with a majority of the friends I’ve spoken to, dread the extended night that comes with daylight savings season. Beginning last Saturday, daylight savings season means that the sky now darkens a full hour earlier. While the extra hour on Halloween was nice, many have been left missing the later sunsets and not noticing the earlier dawn. To stave off seasonal depression and vitamin D deficiency, here are the best ways I've found to handle and appreciate the new schedule.
1. Romanticize late autumn and the shift into winter
So much focus is placed on October. Spooky season and Halloween have taken over our cultural conception of fall, and with all of that coming to an end when November begins, the rest of the month before the holiday season can seem gray, flat, and gloomy. But think about it this way: the rest of fall still includes wearing cozy sweaters to class but not having to wear a coat over them yet, the last of the fall leaves, and rain that makes every potential nap better. Simple acts of reframing can make a dreary day into a cute and cozy one.
2. Get up earlier!
This might not sound worth it, especially if your classes are later in the day. But getting up earlier can have a lot of benefits (provided you go to bed earlier too). Some people are more productive in the mornings, and I find myself always able to get a little extra work done for the day if I’m up with some spare time before class. Also, since Saturday, the dawn is earlier and the sunset is too. Waking up closer to dawn gives you the opportunity to maximize the amount of your waking hours spent in sunlight. Even if you end up going to bed earlier, the day will feel longer.
3. Establish a cozy tradition
Have hot chocolate every night after dinner, or watch a movie with your roommates every Sunday night. Little traditions like this can help so much in the darker season, especially if you experience seasonal depression. Something to look forward to at the end of the day or week can be motivating during a time of year when it sounds most appealing to nap all day, and when it seems like night at 6:30 p.m.
4. Prioritize self care
For many classes, November is a busy time in the semester. Midterms are over, but the last content has to be shoved in before finals. For some, final projects and papers are also beginning to have concurrent due dates. While it’s easy to get sucked into the academic spiral, everything works better with balance. If you find yourself studying too hard, be sure to take some time to sleep, have a good meal, and just relax a little. An everything shower and a cup of tea can really help with homework anxiety.
5. Practice gratitude
This one may seem obvious with Thanksgiving coming up, but it’s something everyone should do outside the holiday too. When the world seems dark, we need to focus on the things that make life seem lighter. I try to come up with one thing I am grateful for every night. This makes me feel better in the moment and also causes me to be on the lookout for little things I can appreciate throughout the day.
Overall, the beginning of daylight savings can be a tough time. It takes a minute to get used to the new darkness and cold. I hope, with these tips, you can make it to Thanksgiving break!