like, it’s still dark at 5pm, there are barely any sports on, still bitterly cold and austere and it hurts to go outside, but you’re not even looking forward to christmas or the new year. the new year is here, and it’s largely the same as last year. except you’re getting older.
Highly recommend bright light therapy the moment you wake up or at the desired wakeup time. I can’t imagine what it must be like for those unaware of these things, the darkness would have me on the brink
Adding onto this, I recommend a sunrise alarm. I wake up at 5 am every morning and it makes the transition from sleep much jarring.
Can you elaborate? I’ve seen these, I’ve seen what they’re “supposed” to do, but can you explain from your personal POV how it helps you, if that makes sense?
It does a few things but it basically entrains your circadian rhythms that mediate wakefulness and sleep. I’m no scientist but they are helpful for both insomnia and depression (particularly SAD) and I find it to be an indispensible part of my morning routine in waking me up and orienting me and fixing my sleep to a proper schedule.
Thank you! It sounds like one of these would be very helpful for me. I’m a night owl who works in a 9-5 world, and waking up in the morning is a huge mix of depression and anxiety even if I’ve gotten 6-7 hours of sleep or so.
Dude, try it. They sometimes have em at Costco or you can get the glasses if you want freedom of movement while using it
Oh nice! Did you talk to a doctor about it or anything first, or did you just decide to give it a go one day and liked the results?
So many times this. I love my light box. It keeps me sane.