How are you doing with the time change?

How are you doing after the time change that took place Sunday morning?

A time change amidst shortening days can be difficult on our bodies. You might notice it affecting your sleep, energy, hunger, cravings, and even mood.

Knowing that these sorts of experiences are common when the body’s clock is jarred, might you be able to offer yourself some grace and also know that there are simple things you can do to support your body if you are finding your system having a hard time with the change.

Two tips that I lean on this time of year:

• exposing my face and eyes to natural light outdoors (regardless of how cloudy it may be)

• incorporating in some gentle bitters at mealtimes

Although these two tips might seem far too simple to work, they certainly help in supporting the body recalibrate its internal clock, its circadian rhythm - which just got thrown for a bit of a loop.

If you are able to get outside in the morning light, great.

Or maybe you are able to get outside as the sun sets, also great.

Aim for at least 10 minutes. Even when the skies are overcast, the light outside is still far “brighter” than indoor lighting. Our bodies relate to natural light so much differently than indoor light and it is the uniqueness of the sun's light that our bodies respond so well to.

As for bitters, the flavor which so many of us love to hate, incorporating them can be as simple as adding some greens to your soup, eggs, etc. or brewing a cup of tea to sip around mealtimes.

Some foods that offer the bitter flavor include: leafy greens (dandelion greens, arugula, kale, and beet greens anyone?), radicchio, and endive, just to list a few. Some herbs that offer the bitter flavor and work well as a tea include: dandelion root, chicory root, chamomile (steeped longer), orange peel, and turmeric.

Although I offer these tips as support as we adjust into darker days with a time change, know that these are practices that are helpful throughout the winter months and can be incorporated throughout late Autumn and Winter as a way of tending to yourself.

Be Well 💜,

Kara

... and maybe you have 5 or 10 minutes right now to step outside, breathe deep, and admire the sky, regardless of its state 😉