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If you’re like me, the end of daylight saving is always, at first glance, appealing (another hour of sleep? Yes, please!). But, after a day or two of circadian chaos, our bodies (along with every clock in our home) has forfeited any reward gained by that added hour of sleep. The anticipation of a long winter of shorter, darker days and cold nights paired with longer-than-usual to-do lists and time confusion leads me to a lack of focus and energy. This time of year, we all feel as though we are dragging.
This year, I’m taking a more proactive approach to the shifting daylight and I thought I’d share the tips I’m using with all of you. Here is my list of ways I’m easing into the transition while staying productive, focused and energetic as we head towards winter:
- Take it easy: Give yourself time to acclimate and stick to your usual routines, for example, bedtime and waking up.
- Let the sunshine in: Light deprivation can cause you to feel drained of energy or even give you seasonal depression. Expose yourself to what light we do have by getting up early, opening the shades / curtains, and taking short brisk walk outdoors during the day to look-up from your work and appreciate the day. It also will release tension, lift your mood and help you feel better about the sun setting before your workday is through (the hardest adjustment for me!). Also, at bedtime, avoid blue light from looking at digital screens, specifically when trying to fall asleep (guilty!).
- Move it: Regular, moderate exercise is proven to boost your mood, improve your sleep and help you focus throughout the day. Even if you can’t get to the gym, try cleaning. (It’s unclear why cleaning is so effective as an energy boost, but it is!).
- Nap responsibly: While a nap can be tempting, you may wake up groggy, making it hard to get back to your day, or affect your night, stealing away precious hours of sleep. If a nap is a must, Mayo Clinic recommends limiting it to 10–20 minutes no later than 3pm.
- Consider timing: If you’re like most people, tackling your most important work before lunch vs. later in the day is the way to go. Tackling a nagging task or chore first will make you feel more productive instead of weighed-down. Interestingly, research has shown that scheduling group meetings later in the day (say after lunch, when we hit that digestion slump) may be beneficial. Learn more about when to schedule your most important work from Harvard Business Review here.
- Chase the light: If you have the option and don’t already work from home, this lifestyle adjustment could be a real game-changer; avoiding a commute will help you squeeze out every last drop of your day. Or if you can, shift your hours a bit earlier to head home before the sun completely sets (just 30 minutes could make a big difference). Taking a lunch break away from your desk will also help break up your day so you can enjoy some mid-afternoon light. If none of these are an option, consider getting a light therapy box, which can be helpful for people with seasonal adjustment disorder.
A great way to stay productive during the seasonal transition is to start a new project! We can help spruce up your marking for the holidays, get a head start on 2022 marketing goals, update current marketing and more. Give us a shout at amy@elementsdesign.com or 203-776-1323 to get started.
– Amy
