Feeling a little more tired, unmotivated, and generally bleh now that winter is here? Welcome to the club.
We asked our audience how the changing amounts in daylight affect their mood, and over 60 percent of respondents reported a notable impact on their happiness, with 42 percent feeling significantly affected by lessened daylight and 20 percent saying the change completely influences their happiness. Wow.
For millions of Americans, this mood dip is due to seasonal affective disorder (SAD, for short), what Broad City’s Ilana so accurately describes as, “the annual cycle of depression that I and others like me experience every winter, all winter. And fall. And, like, the end of summer, too.”
So, what’s the best way to adapt to the new season? In the same poll, we tasked our audience with sharing, “What tools, devices, or coping mechanisms do you use to boost or maintain your mood during periods of lessened daylight hours?” Here’s how they cope.
Read more: How to Staycation in This Economy
23 tips for boosting your mood during darker days
Maximize your exposure to natural light during the day
1. “I try to get up a little earlier to maximize my time with the sunlight. Also using a UV light helps!”
2. “I make a point to try and walk outside multiple times throughout my day—even if just for a minute to get some fresh air and daylight, take a few deep breaths, and then come back focused.”
3. “Try to get more sunlight and try to schedule a vacation somewhere warm and sunny in January. I've sometimes resorted to using a tanning bed maybe once or twice a month in the winter to have just a few minutes of warm dry air and light.”
4. “I take a vitamin D supplement (at least 1000 units) as part of my morning routine, which is helpful for energy levels. Opening the drapes when it's light out and turning on warm lamps inside helps ensure I get some light.”
5. “I work remotely so it’s easy to lose track of time and keep working until it gets dark. In the fall/winter when it starts to get dark, I know that’s my cue to walk away from my laptop for the day. Thanks to fall daylight savings time, that means 5:30. It’s nature’s way of ensuring I have balance and helps me make the most of my evenings (grocery, relaxing, calling a friend/family, spending time with family).”
6. “Lunchtime walks, weekend lunches at home on the porch, and finding restaurants near water or mountains to maximize each moment of sunshine. If lunch doesn’t work out, I try to catch sunrise or sunset with a view and friends that make me laugh.”
7. “Keep lots of lights on, including candles. Get as much natural light as possible while it is available.”
8. “I use a SAD light for thirty minutes in the morning and boost my self care routines. I also encourage myself to get out of the house like I would during the summer, even though it may be dark, so I don’t isolate myself at home.”
Our recommendations:
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Kickstart your morning with a bright light therapy lamp if it’s simply too cold to leave the house. These portable lamps deliver up to 10,000 lux of UV-free, mood-boosting light.
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If you do take a morning walk to get some sunshine, take a moment for some self-reflection. Ask yourself, what can you learn from the seasonal cycles about rest, renewal, and change? How does the quiet and calm of winter reflect your own inner state? How can you make the most of this season and its unique offerings?
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Maintain optimal levels of immune-boosting vitamins—try a vitamin D supplement.
Stick to a daily routine and stay active
9. “Switching up my workout schedule, taking longer lunches so that I have time to get out in the sunlight.”
10. “Using a SAD lamp every morning, making sure to get some exercise outdoors daily even if just a 15-minute walk. But mostly, what helps is just REMEMBERING that this is seasonal and I now have decades of experience bearing out ‘this too shall pass’ once we emerge from the dark months.”
11. “Morning walks, red light therapy, and structured daily routine.”
12. “Exercise in the daylight, meditation, and healthy food. Also, intense exercise seems to help, such as hiking in the hills, running, and interval training.”
13. “Trying to get outside every day, even in extreme temps. Work out, talk with friends, read a good book, and feed the mind positively.”
14. “Vitamin D, sitting or walking outside for at least 15 minutes, and spending time with my friends and family.”
Our recommendations:
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Turn your outdoor breaks into more of a workout. Add a little resistance to your walks with Bala Bangles on your wrists or ankles.
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We love the encouragement to “feed the mind positively.” If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed by stress-inducing headlines, read our piece on how to cope at work (and home) when there’s a constant negative news cycle.
Explore and focus on hobbies and creative outlets
15. “Taking on home projects that I've been putting off. Writing hand-written letters to or calling people I haven't been in touch with for a while. Both are ways to put my focus on something productive instead of the lack of light.”
16. “Listen to music, snuggle with pets and family, watch a favorite movie, go outside during the daytime, puzzles, board games, read books, arts and crafts, etc.”
17. “I delve into my hobbies I don't do during the warmer months like painting. I love interacting with my animals, and when I start having cabin fever, I try to get out on a hike or go play pool or pinball. Take a weekend away if I can.”
18. “I've been trying to do more hobbies and activities I enjoy away from the computer and my phone as well, like quilting, scrapbooking, reading, baking, and hiking with my husband.”
Our recommendations:
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Get creative with this vintage aesthetic scrapbook paper and sticker kit for journaling, scrapbooking, or letter-writing.
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Read Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times by Katherine May, a book that explores how embracing life's quiet periods with rest, reflection, and acceptance can foster resilience and personal growth—much like the winter cycle.
Embrace a warm and cozy vibe at home
19. “I love the sunlight and generally hate the fall season and short days. But the last couple of years, I've been decorating my home for fall and making sure the lighting is cozy. I do my best to enjoy the darkness with special activities and fun teas and then allow myself to go to bed earlier than usual so I can wake up to the early morning sun. It's been really helpful.”
20. “I lean into the cozy. I get more cups of tea, start a new art project, find the warmest comfiest clothes, and plan to see friends.”
21. “Reading and setting the mood with lovely lights at night. Trying to get outside while the sun is still out!”
22. “I focus on things I can look forward to specifically related to the seasonal change, like being able to light candles and use my oven again (they make my apartment too hot in the summer).”
23. “I have a light that has a sunlight level for darkest days and put my work at home desk in front of a window. I also believe in searching for online help either with therapist support or finding tiny dog tappie toes or baby goats jumping or a comic that makes me laugh. It helps. Taking care to remind my inner voice to take care of me is good too. 😊”
Our recommendations:
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Pick out some festive decor you’ll enjoy for the coming months. We love this faux olive garland with fairy lights and these faux eucalyptus stems.
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Treat yourself to a tea sampler to relax and unwind. This one comes with super cozy flavors including Cinnamon Apple Chamomile, Spice Dragon Red Chai, Cozy Cinnamon Vanilla Chamomile, Peppermint, and more.
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Stock up on some welcoming candles like this meditation candle that “smells like mindful mindlessness” or this coffee table candle that “smells like style icons and aspirational lifestyles.”
