We have just turned the clocks back and gained an extra hour.  (Where does that extra hour go?)  However, the day light is less and less every day.  And it is darker earlier in the evenings now.  This can mean that our bodies are not getting  as much of the light that we need.  WE may be spending more time inside, also because it is getting colder and we do not get to spend as much time outside.  So, what do we do.

Well, we need to make the extra effort to still spend time outside in the sunlight.  Take a walk at lunch or make a few extra trips to the mail box.  Park farther away from the entrance to the store so you will have to walk a little longer.  Find a friend who will encourage you to walk on a regular basis.  Listen to some tunes or pod casts on your MP3 player. (Car Talk always makes the walk more fun.)  And – there are always things to do in the garden – fill the bird feeders, pick up branches, rake leaves, etc.

Taking a walk with firends

The lack of sunlight can lead to depression, fatigue, anxiety, insomnia and weight gain.  One of the best ways to combat this is to go outside and do it often to fight off the ‘winter blues’.  Do not take for granted that we can spend time outside tomorrow.  Do it today!  Get out and balance those circadian rythmns.  Enjoy!