Tips for Navigating the Darker Months

As the darker months approach and the days feel shorter many of us can struggle with this change in lights and also routine. Some people may have to leave for work in darkness and return home in darkness. Through this blog my intention is to share some ideas so that we can learn to love this time of year. Release the overwhelm and low moods and nestle into what has the potential to be a beautiful and introspective period. 

The winter months can feel jam packed with expectation, commitments and things to do before the year ends. This can add to what already feels like a shortening of time. 

Within the UK and countries with little light SAD seasonal affective disorder or winter depression as it is sometimes called can begin to appear. With symptoms such as;

Continuous Low mood

Low sex drive

Craving sweet and carbohydrate based foods

A desire to sleep longer

Feeling irritable 

Struggling to concentrate

Feeling despair

As I write these symptoms I am reminded however from a cyclical living point of view winter is a time of rest, slowing down. If we think of animals that slow down or hibernate at this time of year badgers, bears, mice. All hunkering down, preserving and conserving their energy for spring to arrive. 

I think often as humans we feel that we are somewhat immune to life's cycles and are in a constant state of spring. But I encourage us to embrace this season as opposed to try change and make it something it is not. 

All is not lost, my friends. Denmark is one of the happiest countries in the world. This country goes from having around 17 hours a day or daylight in summer to only 6 or 7 in winter. How do they maintain their happiness with limited light? They have created something called hygge. Hygge is a feeling, a creation of atmosphere, it has been called “cosiness of the soul” which I absolutely adore. The danes embrace the season and create magic within it. 

They have a great quality of life in Denmark and promote wellbeing. 

In the rest of this blog I will share wellbeing ideas, tools, ways to add a bit of Hygge to your day, weeks and months ahead. So that we too can embrace the cosiness of the soul and experience more happiness at this time. 

Let's chat about immunity. The changing of seasons, lack of light and change in temperature can cause a drop in immunity as we become more exposed to winter bugs, respiratory infections and feeling a  little run down. 

I love to be proactive at this time prioritising nutrition, sleep and time in daylight.  Some things that really help me are my lumi alarm clock. This wakes me gradually with light. So I am not thrust into the day with a horrid noise and into darkness. It took me a little while to get used to it but I absolutely adore it. It has a bedtime function too where it lowers the light for sleep. I have also just last week started using my SAD lamp again. This is a lamp designed to share high daylight type light with you. It is said this light will assist in boosting serotonin and reducing daytime melatonin so it helps you stay happier and more alert. This is the lamp I have an use. 

In this time of year with limited daylight it can really affect our circadian rhythm. Our internal bodyclock. The use of the tools above can help, but ultimately the best thing you can do is get out for a walk in the daylight hours. Spend time in nature. Allow your body to witness the changes in nature. To feel the connection to the season. Personally I am switching up my workdays as much as I can so that I can ensure I get outside in the daytime to support my mood, hormones, sleep and immunity. Then in the evening I will catch up on work, household chores etc. It doesn't always go to plan but when it does it really is wonderful and I truly feel the benefits and more peaceful and happy. 

Nutrition wise I have my family taking Elderberry syrup at this time of year along with echinacea when the signs of a cough or cold hit. I use onguard from doterra on the soles of our feet or spine and also air respiratory stick on our chest and feet if a cold hits. You can find the doterra products in my doterra shop or please ask if you need any support. Myself and my husband also take Chaga tincture daily. 

Elderberry syrup I used to buy through neals yard but they seem to be out of stock so you can use this one From Amazon. Elderberry syrup is packed with vitamin c and antioxidants. 

Chaga mushrooms are high in antioxidants, antiviral and anti inflammatory so perfect for this season. So many benefits. We buy from a local company who sustainably forage and process called Seven Chaga. 

Final nutritional recommendation is a Vitamin D supplement. We use the  better you supplement and find it super easy to take. Vitamin D is made by sunshine on the skin so with limited light, we can often be lacking vitamin D. UK government advises that we take this supplement over the winter. Lack of vitamin D can cause mood changes, poor bone health and fatigue. 

For our mental, emotional, spiritual and physical health, how can we enjoy winter? What can you do that you love that you can only do in this season? Is it planning to go for a walk with friends followed by hot chocolate? Do you have specific winter traditions or can you create new ones? 

Use the evenings to catch up on the books you meant to read, the online course you wanted to start, the craft project you always fancied. It can take a little bit of a push to put down the phone, stop the scroll and start but once you do you will begin to look forward to the evenings and doing the things you love. 

Can we create our own hygge like the Danes? 

Hygge really appeals to our senses. Smells, tastes, sounds, seeing, touch and the 6th sense of hygge is safety. 

How can you build in safety in your winter experience? Here’s some thoughts and ideas to get excited about and inspire. 

Lets get clarity on what your pleasurable darker season would be like. Lets get really intentional on how we wish our days and life to look. 

Do you want to ensure you have time with friends or do you want to hunker down with a book? Do you love twinkly lights or candles? 

How can you find comfort? Is it making a yummy slow cooker meal, wrapping yourself in a cosy blanket? Lighting a fire? Or before I had my fire I would pop a pretty scene with music on Youtube. 

Delight your senses. What smells would you love around you? Is it treating yourself to your first pumpkin spice latte, is it wearing your favourite cosy jumper? Delight your senses.

Do you wish to journal, reflect on your year so far, to rest deeply, take long baths and long walks in nature. 

Really use this time to get clarity and start mapping it all out. Get creative, get your diary and schedule everything you would love. 

Let's make this a time to fill your cup, create safety by following your passions and desires. Once you know what you’d like, say no to everything else until new year. 

Create spaciousness and slow down.   

I truly adore this time of year, candles on, cacao and cosy blankets. Frosty mornings and starry skies. It really does delight me. 

I hope this blog supports you and you find some inspiration to make the darker times of the year more enjoyable. 

With Love 

Susi xx

*Links within this blog may be affiliate links and I may earn a small commission. All recommendations are items I own, use or have used. 

Lumi Alarm Clock: https://amzn.to/3NNF79q 

SAD Lamp: https://amzn.to/3AgLcbv 

Elderberry Syrup: https://amzn.to/3NGU1OS 

Chaga Mushroom in Apple Cider Vinegar: https://sevenchaga.com/ 

Vitamin D Spray: https://amzn.to/48oYbVg 

The little book of hygge: The Danish Way to Live Well; https://amzn.to/40kr9U3 

Shop Oils with Susi Doterra: https://www.mydoterra.com/befreewithsusimcwilliam/#/ 

Information on Seasonal Affective Disorder: https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/conditions/seasonal-affective-disorder-sad/overview/