I always find it funny how shocked we seem when it starts to get dark at 4:30pm. The way we all react is almost like we’ve never experienced a time change. Daylight savings for many can be the beginning of the dreaded two words: seasonal depression. Seasonal depression affects even those who may not even suffer from general depression, and it can last all the way up until Springtime for many, depending on where you live. There have been a few things that I have done to combat this depression that I think everyone should try to welcome into their lives:
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Buy yourself a sunlight lamp, if you have the funds. These are great because much of seasonal depression stems from lack of hours exposed to sunlight, so putting on a sunlight lamp after the sun sets is a good way to go. You can find one on Amazon.
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Work out! I’ve found that I go through a slump when the sun begins to set just as I’m leaving class or work, so I decide to move my body in some way when I get home. This always gives me a jolt of energy, which stops me from crawling back into bed.
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Have a small afternoon chai or coffee. I say small so you aren’t amped up on caffeine for the rest of the night, but a little bit can give you that little boost of dopamine and energy to help you power through.
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Do some of your favorite things that re-charge you, like meditating, journaling, or stretching. I find half the reason I just want to crawl into bed after I get home in the dark is because of a tiring and draining day. The lack of sun only makes me feel more tired and drained, so turning to your favorite re-charging activities can help amp you up.
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Eat a nutritious dinner/snack and drink a big glass of water. It seems simple, but it’s effective. Mid-day slumps often don’t have as much to do with sleep as they do with being dehydrated and not having enough calories/nutritionally dense food for the day.
I can’t promise incorporating these things will cure your seasonal depression, but I can assure you that they do help!
Yours Truly,
CiCi