Skip The Winter Blues (1/3)

Simple tips for maintaining high productivity and energy in the dark season

Taunusanlage, Frankfurt in the Winter Sun. © Solveig Caroline 2012

As the days get shorter, many people who live as far north of the equator as we do tend to slow down, have trouble getting up in the morning, get sick more easily, and are generally in lower spirits. After all, life isn’t as easy as in the summer time, and daylight is in far more limited supply.

This phenomenon is particularly pronounced for those of us with office jobs that often have us leave the house in the dark and return home after dark. There’s a scientific term for it, and it's quite fitting, too: SAD - or Seasonal Affective Disorder.

I had the very same problem up until a few years ago, when I was working as a professional money manager. Come late October, I’d slow down considerably, to the point of not recognizing myself anymore. I was simply left to wonder what had happened to the generally upbeat and energetic woman I usually am. I was getting into energy healing at the time - in fact, I had taken my Reiki I class and received the attunements about 6 weeks prior - and knew it was time for more research.

So, we’re electrical beings. Ok, fine. Then how do I get more energy? - I can hardly “plug" myself into a regular power outlet without getting hurt, after all.

Well, turns out, there are several “power sources” (outside the usual suspects of sleep, food, and stimulants) that we can access and use to our advantage. These helps us lift the electrical potential of our bodies to a higher energy level while supporting our health in the long run. They don't slowly burn out our adrenals the way coffee, energy drinks, sugar, medications and excessive exercise do. In the language of Personal Energy Economics: the methods I'm showing you will not add another mortgage on your overall life energy - no more adrenal fatigue or other fatigue. These methods may take a bit of mental energy and discipline to implement now, some require a bit of a financial investment that is well worth it. And they all WILL add to your overall energy balance in the long run. You should notice results within the first 4 weeks of daily practice.

Here are my top three:

1. exposure to daylight,
2. boosting my circulation,
3. eating sunlight (truly nourishing nutrition).
   
   

Let’s talk about DAYLIGHT EXPOSURE today:

You may have guessed it: it’s important to get your daily dose of daylight. It's not "just" a question of regulating our melatonin levels and vitamin D production. It's also a question of attuning our energy body (aura) to the healing frequencies of natural light.

Chances are, you’re a busy professional or entrepreneur, and spending adequate time outside seems almost as impossible as running a marathon unprepared.

There’s are a few smart ways to help yourself here:

• Schedule daylight breaks - no sunglasses!* You’ll be amazed at how much more productive you are if do any or all of the following regularly:
  
  
  • walk or bike to/from work (even in a busy city - better outside and moving than stuck on a train or in a car)
  • take your "coffee breaks" at a coffeeshop that’s in comfortable walking distance instead of the office kitchenette - or better yet: turn them into juice breaks and walk to the nearest juice bar.
  • make a point to always go outside at lunch time. And yes, taking a lunch break is mandatory. Even if you’re not hungry, get in the habit to relax your mind, open yourself back up to new solutions, and filling yourself up with light and air before you return to your desk.
  • any time you're stuck writing something or coming up with new ideas: get your butt moving outside. 5-10 minutes usually solves the problem, in my experience.
  • When you get on/off a plane or train, make point to schedule a few minutes of undisturbed outdoor time (best on a patch of grass so you ground yourself and by walking barefoot at the same time).
    
    
• Buy a light therapy device.
  
  
  • This helps not only with normalizing your daily wake/sleep cycle in the dark season, it’s also brilliant for people who travel through time zones a lot. My preferred choice: a Belgian-made device, developed at the University of Liège. This is a rechargeable light therapy visor that I can wear for 20-40 minutes a day while making breakfast or reading the morning paper. They adjust my internal clock within days, and then help me start each day on a light note.
    It travels well, too!
    
  • Other daylight/full-spectrum lights work, as well, but tend to be bulky (and hence stationary), and require significantly longer exposure times.
    
    
• Spend a lot of daytime outdoors on the weekends (make this a priority over social food events!).
  
  
  • Work out outdoors: Running, skiing, brisk walks, hiking, climbing, cycling, Kneipping - the list is endless.
  • Invite friends and family for long walks, or other fun activities. If socializing around food still features prominently in your life, why not add a refreshing, brisk walk before you meet friends for Sunday brunch, for instance?
    
    

While it takes a bit of effort at first, it’s a great idea to consciously program daylight time (outdoors!) into your busy schedules. I don’t care if you’re a fund manager in Frankfurt, London or New York, or a consultant or investment banker jetting around the globe. Or even an entrepreneur busy churning out new lines and working on JVs.

We’re all ambitious. We all have lots on our plates. We didn’t get to where we are by shunning difficulties. No, we continuously challenge ourselves to grow. Our health translates directly into productivity, $$$ and well-being across all areas of life.  

Start today by fine-tuning your daylight exposure for the dark season. The best part is: by realigning your mental focus from "oh, this is the gloomy, dreary season - is it spring yet?" to "there is sun, even in the winter - when and how can I make the most of it for myself?" you actually program your mind and body for greater happiness, lightness, well-being.

And check back here next week for details on how to boost your circulation quickly and easily - especially as a busy office bee or high-level "migrant worker."

Light up your life!

* While it's best to not wear sunglasses outside to take advantage of the full healing power of the sun, please do wear sunglasses in case your eyes are highly sensitive to the light. In that case, also cover up your body with clothing when in the midday sun (and avoid commercial sunscreens, as they further increase your toxic load). Light sensitivity is a sign of increased toxicity levels in the body, and exposing your eyes/skin with those toxins to the immense healing power of the sun can lead to damage of all kinds. My preferred choice to remedy this situation would be to start a physical cleansing routine including fasting, green smoothies and juices, as well as enemas. Please consult your doctor or other health professional.