As you all know for the countries who honor Daylight Savings Time, that day just happened yesterday. We lost an hour of sleep but gained an hour of daylight in the evening. With more daylight, you now have more time to spread your personal sunshine out into the world. Let’s spring forward with power.
Sometimes the fall and winter season forces us into a shell. We may find ourselves in the house more, away from others. Unless you have a family of your own, you may be spending these days alone more often. The transition back into brighter days requires preparation as it can be hard. Getting back into the routine of spending more time outdoors, exercising, hanging out with friends, or even going to the doctor for an annual checkup requires motivation.
From childhood, the Amygdala portion of our brains creates a cycle of development that involves experiencing events and creating memories of what brings pleasure and what does not. When we get back into these activities after months of being more sedentary, our brain automatically remembers them as something of enjoyment.
Spring officially starts in 1 week, so let’s get ready and set to go. Here’s what we can do.
- Let in Light: Even if you are staying home for the day. Open the curtains and/or blinds to let in as much light as possible.
- Create a sleep routine: Losing an hour can throw off your personal sleep/wake clock. Aiming for 7-8 hours of sleep during the nighttime hours is optimal. Dress in what makes you comfortable. Set an alarm if you are one to sleep too long. Make sure all noise and light are kept to a minimum if you can’t sleep. The goal is to be productive during as many daylight hours as possible with the energy to do so.
- Positive Affirmations: Whether you write it on a Post-it note, verbalize it, or have a device remind you. Engaging in positive thinking can help set the mood each day. With so many responsibilities our thoughts can sometimes turn dark. Give yourself grace and reaffirming the positives can be a great tool.
- Get a house plant(s): It has been shown to decrease stress levels as well as improve productivity. Taking care of a house plant can relate to how human life functions. You water it and watch it grow, just as we as humans nurture our bodies to live productive lives.
- Gather the troops: If you have someone you can hang out with, start planning time to spend together out of the house. If you need to make some new friends, find a local meetup group, go to a free community event in your area, ask a co-worker who you like to hang out after work, etc. Surround yourself with the energy you desire.
Remember, we spring forward, not back, so create the space you need to keep that mindset. We have 6-7 months of more daylight hours, so let’s make the most of it.