#winter-blues

#winter-blues

After 40, stress physiology changes. Recovery slows. Hormonal responses linger longer. Sleep disruption compounds more quickly. Cognitive fatigue accumulates across weeks instead of days. Entrepreneurs, in particular, face chronic cognitive load: constant decision-making, emotional responsibility for teams, financial pressure (from investors, shareholders, and stakeholders), unpredictable stress cycles that follow you home to your family.

Research shows that summertime conditions can lead to cognitive impairments, particularly in memory and concentration. Factors such as sleep disruption, heat, dehydration, and smoke exposure are significant contributors to these effects.

The winter blues are very real. The lack of light and cold temperatures can pull you into a slump-but practicing yoga can help you feel more like yourself and help you overcome some of the symptoms of seasonal affective disorder. All it takes is a willingness to commit to some movement, even-or especially-when you're feeling a bit blah. This grounding morning flow helps you overcome winter sluggishness with some breath-guided stretching and slow activation.

When should I use my bright light therapy lamp? You should use it every morning (as soon as possible after waking up) during the months when you experience SAD symptoms. It is not advised to use a bright light therapy lamp in the afternoon or evening, as it can mess with your circadian rhythm/sleep cycle. You should try to use it for 20-30 minutes each day.

Instead, they practice something called "friluftsliv" - literally "free air life" - and in February, when winter feels endless, this practice becomes almost sacred. It's their secret weapon against the darkness, and after trying it myself during a particularly rough winter, I can tell you it works better than any supplement I've ever taken. The word itself sounds complicated, but friluftsliv is beautifully simple. It means spending time outdoors, regardless of weather conditions. Not despite the cold and darkness, but because of it.

Spring ends the winter season like light ends the darkness. The coming of spring reminds us of the peaks and valleys of life. If you are in a valley, know that there is light at the end of the tunnel and a peak will come soon. Just as the seasons change, so too will your life.

It's normal to feel sluggish during the winter. Cold temperatures and fewer hours of sunlight can mean less time outdoors and more time staring at our screens. For some people, these cold-weather habits may contribute to a sleep disruption, known as winter insomnia. This isn't a clinical condition, but it might begin or worsen during the winter months.

There's a particular kind of winter quiet that settles in around January - a soft, heavy stillness that seems to press itself against windows that look out into a muted world of dull skies and bare branches. The idea of stepping outside feels like far more effort than it should. Inside, the air feels warmer, and my home becomes a nest made of cozy blankets, soft lamplight, and familiar corners.