Preparing for Shorter Days Part 1: Changing your perspective on winter
Posted October 28, 2021
The transition into the colder months each year can be difficult. Days start later and end earlier. The weather may be challenging. And while the pandemic seems to be slowing, we're likely in for another holiday season different from what we're used to. But now is a great time to prepare yourself for the season ahead in order to make the most of shorter days.
For some, the very idea of colder weather inspires nothing but misery. Longing for heat and sunshine, their hearts (and moods) sink along with the sinking numbers on the thermometer. Winter becomes mournful, something to dread and to get through—hopefully quickly.
But what if instead winter was something to actually look forward to? How might we learn to see winter differently in order to see its value?
Let's consider what you might dislike about winter: is it having to get up when it's still dark out? Or is it that you can't spend as much time outside? Let's look at each of these potential winter dislikes to figure out how we can change our mindset:
I don't like having to get up when it's still dark out.
It can be more difficult to wake up when it's still dark outside. Our bodies resist waking more when doing so without sunlight.
One way to counter this negative feeling is to make sure you are well rested in the first place and that you have gotten enough sleep. Having a set bedtime and waking time every day will help you sleep better and feel more rested. You will find that, over time, your body will naturally awaken at the same time each day, sunlight or not.
Another way to set yourself up for a successful morning is to keep items you need close to your bedside for easy access: some slippers and a robe, maybe, so you can keep that cozy bed feeling with you a little longer.
If you like technology solutions, a sunrise lamp—a light you can place in your bedroom that simulates a sunrise—might be a good option. By recreating the light of the rising sun, the lamp cues the body to gradually wake as the light increases, a more gentle alternative to a blaring alarm clock.
I don't like being cooped up inside.
Winter weather, especially in the northeastern U.S. where City Center is located, can be a messy ordeal. It’s a rare person who enjoys scraping ice off of their windshield first thing in the morning, or accidentally stepping into a deceptively deep corner puddle and coming away with a soaked shoe. Because of these negative experiences, we often assume that inclement weather means that we're relegated to indoor activities but that doesn't have to be the case.
There's a saying in Norway, "There's no bad weather, only bad clothes." For a country that can see snowfall starting in October and lasting until May, Norway boasts an extremely active outdoors culture year-round. Norwegians do not see winter as an indoors season: instead, citizens spend ample time outdoors, making sure to dress appropriately and bring along items they might need. This allows them to be explorers year-round.
For more about cultivating fulfilling outdoor winter habits, stay tuned for Part 2 of our Preparing for Shorter Days blog series, ‘An explorer mentality.’
A note on the “winter blues”
Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD, is a recurrent major depressive disorder with a seasonal pattern.
Symptoms can include feelings of hopelessness and sadness, thoughts of suicide, changes in sleep patterns, changes in appetite (especially a craving for sweet or starchy foods), heaviness in the arms and legs, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, a drop in energy level, and mood changes including increased irritability or sensitivity. SAD symptoms usually begin in the fall and continue through winter months. For those suffering from SAD, treatment with the help of a licensed mental health professional can be an effective way to feel better. Learn more about Seasonal Affective Disorder on our website. If you'd like to learn more about available treatment options, contact us today.