As someone who sleeps with their blinds open to savour every lasting moment of sun, I prepare for the loss of daylight as if gearing up for the apocalypse. Every year without fail, I feel the cruel sledgehammer of winter getting worse and worse, sometimes wishing away the days of perpetual darkness in pursuit of summer again.
This seemingly endless stygian of being appears impossible to live through at times, particularly with upcoming deadlines and assignments, although there is a Lumie alarm clock light at the end of the tunnel. When my mother first presented me with one in the depths of my seasonal depression, it felt as if all of my darkness-induced sadness was completely diminished. Whichever artificial sunrise you prefer (whether that is Hatch or Lumie) it has undoubtedly replicated the halcyon felt by waking because of the summer sun, and would definitely be at the top of my list of recommendations for anyone seeking to combat the dreaded upcoming winter sadness.
Although, it definitely isn’t just overpriced alarm clocks that can lift your spirits when the days get shorter. Implementing small changes to your routine can help you to idealise the cooler months. With a slightly longer skincare routine in the mornings and evenings, and more time spent with your loved ones, you can immensely increase your likelihood of preserving your sanity as the days get less and less sunlight. It can be easy to start to isolate as the days get darker, but leaning on the people around you can make a massive difference, reminding you that you aren’t alone during this time.
My personal favourite pick-me-up during these more trying times is finding something new to fixate on. Whether that’s a new TV show to watch endlessly or a book to binge, having something to look forward to at the end of long dark days is important. This is even better when shared with someone in your life. Getting excited for the next episode of Traitors with your flatmates has to be my pick for this year. Seasonal depression fears Claudia Winkleman.
In short, the sunlight giving up on us will always come as a shock to the system, but with every difficult winter comes a new, and creative, way to tackle it. From fake wellness sunlight lamps, to late nights watching the entirety of a new series, less sun in the sky doesn’t always mean less time to make the most of your day.
Illustration by Conon Walsh (@kurehaww) for The Student
