Keeping Your Spirits Up After the Time Change

By Kaitlin McDowell

Edited by Taylor Morgan

This past Wednesday, I pulled out my brown sherpa vest for the first time this year and shivering on my way to class, thought to myself, “How did this happen?” Days prior, I had been walking up High Street with my friends in a skirt, enjoying the sunny Saturday. How is it that days later, the clouds are grey and the wind chill is stronger than my morning coffee?  

The warmth of fall disappeared like a one-night stand, no goodbye, just me, wondering if I’d get a text back. The sudden chill reminded me of another breakup looming on the calendar: November 2, the end of daylight saving time. 

TRISHAAN BAIRWA / Unsplash

The day when sunlight slips out before dinner, the cold clocks in and darkness starts working overtime. 

As someone who thrives in the summer and all things sun, winter and I don’t really get along. It has some redeeming qualities. I love Christmas, warm coffees, big sweatshirts and earmuffs, but I mourn the loss of outdoor dining, short skirts, seasonal fruits and spontaneous soft-serve ice cream cones. 

I could write an entirely separate post about how much I dislike winter, but that would not be productive for anyone. In an attempt to combat this recurring seasonal depression, I am trying to focus on positivity. 

It’s important to remember that Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a real thing. When there’s less sunlight during the winter, our bodies produce less of the hormones that help balance moods, like serotonin and melatonin. That can lead to feeling more tired, down or having trouble sleeping. Not everyone who dislikes winter has SAD, but it shows how sunlight and earlier sunsets can affect our mood.

Another large part of mood and outlook on life is how we speak to ourselves internally. The little motivations, encouragement or high fives we can give ourselves make all the difference in how we face large or small challenges throughout the week. 

One of the hardest parts of winter for me is the cold mornings. The cold mornings make it all the harder to get out of bed and start the day on a positive foot when the moment we rip the covers off, we are met with the frosty air. This being the case, the morning is when I need to enforce the most positivity into my life to fight off this temperature-induced emotional freeze. 

Author and podcast host, Mel Robbins, is well known for the research-backed life tools she shares to improve one’s life. In a recent episode, Robbins discusses how to start your day on the right foot with her eight morning affirmations. She says that by repeating these eight lines to oneself each morning, one can train their brain to be in a better mood over time. 

The affirmations are as follows: 

It’s going to be a great day 

Something cool is going to happen to me today 

No matter what happens to me today, I can handle it!

An exciting new chapter in my life is beginning 

I need to give myself more credit for how hard I’m trying 

I am allowed to be a work in progress 

If I keep showing up, life will reward me 

I have something important to contribute to the world

For a more in-depth explanation of each affirmation and to learn the science behind the statements, I highly recommend listening to Robbins’ episode. 

Whether it's cold weather or a stressful exam, these little words of encouragement are a great way to remind ourselves how strong we are, the possibilities that the day may bring and maybe just an extra pat on the back for how hard we are trying, because Robbins is right, no matter what happens, we can handle it!

With this positivity instilled upon us from the moment we wake up, winter will fly by in a breeze. It will be May before we know it, and the UV will be back to a strong 7 (see, I’m already being more positive!)

But in the meantime, be sure to enjoy winter for what it has to offer as well. Cozy up on the couch with blankets, a fire and a good book. Eat warm soup, bake the seasonal desserts and enjoy a cup of tea in a cute mug. 

Easier said than done, especially for a summer enthusiast, but I implore you not to spend almost half the year wishing for warmer temperatures to come back. Try to find your own warmth, even in the cold.