Grace Made

It is wild how light affects everything, including my already ever-changing mood. One day you are able to appreciate a beautiful sunset, the next it’s 4:30 p.m. in Nashville and it already looks like midnight. By the time the work day is over the streetlights are on, the night breeze has crawled in, and my motivation has clocked out with the sun.

From my doomscrolling, sponsored by this time change, I have seen how this is a shared experience. A lot of us feel this way during the most wonderful time of the year. Therefore, I have proposed to myself that I will not let early sunsets drain me, but rather use it as an opportunity to find ways to make the season cozy and fun. Here are some ways I am beating the daylight savings blues:

1. Romanticizing nighttime

Use this time as a great incentive to put up twinkle lights, or even put up your Christmas tree (November 1st decorators, anyone?)! You can light a candle or add a few warm-light lamps to your living space to make it more cozy and inviting. Turns out, this kind of lighting is really nice and calming when you lean into it.

2. Re-calculate your circadian rhythm

Let me start off by saying I am not a morning person. However, if us night owls want to maximize daylight enjoyment, we need to wake up a bit earlier. Try to squeeze in even ten minutes of walking outside (it’s still sweater weather in Nashville, so let’s make the most out of it!) or just sit by the window for quiet time or a morning coffee. Whenever I do this I feel like the day is a lot fuller and longer than on days I sleep in.

3. Create good habits

You don’t have to wait for New Year’s to start new habits. I think this is a great time to revise your schedule and see what you can add in that will help you grow and become a better you. This could be journaling in the morning, or reading the Bible before bed. Having intentional habits that help you grow as a person in faith and skill make life fuller. I am trying to become a better person at devoting quiet time for reading the Bible and praying as well as setting time for a check in what I am grateful for.

4. Move your body

This is extremely hard for me in the winter because at night I want to go nowhere. Incorporating morning and weekend pilates in my life has helped so much! While it does not have to be this specific activity, you can do at-home workouts, visit your local gym, or set time in the morning to enjoy daylight and go on a walk. It is very easy to not move as much in these months, so be sure to give your body some love and stay active!

5. Connect with your community

It is very easy to isolate in these months, so I always encourage finding local activities to attend! Whether it be church, small groups, workouts, or small gatherings with friends, make sure to stay in touch with others. Call your loved ones, maybe even arrange a fun game night (or PowerPoint night)!

Darkness does not always have to mean something bad, maybe this is a sign and chance to slow down and be more intentional with your daily activities. How are you beating the daylight savings blues?