When the Light Gets Shorter: My Honest Take on Seasonal Depression
I'll be honest with you. Every year around this time, something in me starts to slow down.
This summer was long and hot, and I loved it. Being outside gave me so much energy. Then the harvest moon came and went, the days started shrinking. The days are shorter, mornings are cooler.
And I went into hibernation. Naps on my lunch break. Early to bed. That heavy, pulled-inward feeling I've come to recognize as the start of my seasonal low.
I'm sharing this because I know I'm not the only one. So I want to talk about what's actually happening, and the small things that help me get through it.
What's actually going on with seasonal depression
Seasonal depression (sometimes called seasonal affective disorder, or SAD) is a real pattern where mood dips as the days get shorter. Less sunlight can throw off your internal clock and shift the chemicals that help regulate mood and sleep.
It can look like low energy, sleeping more, craving comfort food, pulling away from people, or just feeling heavy for no clear reason. If that sounds familiar, nothing is wrong with you. Your body is responding to less light, and that's real.
What helps me get through the darker months
Get morning light. Step outside within an hour of waking, even for 10 minutes, even when it's cloudy. Outdoor light on a gray day is still far brighter than indoor lighting.
Take your lunch outside. I'm guilty of napping through mine right now. A short walk in daylight usually does more for my energy than the nap does.
Keep a steady sleep rhythm. Rest is good, but going to bed and waking up around the same time helps your body find its footing.
Move a little every day. It doesn't have to be a workout. A walk around the block or some gentle stretching counts.
Bring warmth and light inside. Open the blinds, sit near a window, and light a candle in the evening. Some people find a light therapy lamp helpful; it's worth asking your doctor about.
Stay connected. The urge to hibernate is strong. Text a friend, say yes to one plan a week, or come breathe with others.
Be gentle with yourself. Slowing down isn't failing. Meet the season instead of fighting it.
A breath to try right now
When I feel that heavy fog settle in, I use a simple practice I call the morning lift. It wakes the body up gently without overwhelming it.
Sit up tall, ideally near a window or outside.
Breathe in through your nose for a count of 4, letting your belly and then your chest fill.
Take one small extra sip of air in at the top.
Breathe out through your mouth for a count of 4, like a soft sigh.
Repeat for 2 to 3 minutes, then let your breath return to normal and notice how you feel.
If you feel lightheaded, slow down or stop and breathe normally. This isn't about forcing anything. It's about reminding your body it's still here, still safe, and still has energy available.
You're not alone in this
I'm still in it too. I'm writing this from my own slowed-down season, not from the other side of it.
If the heaviness lasts most days for more than a couple of weeks, or starts to feel like more than a seasonal dip, please reach out to your doctor or a mental health professional. That's not weakness. That's taking care of yourself.
And if you'd like some company in the dark months, I'd love to breathe with you.
With warmth,
Karen
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