How to Get More Light This Winter: 5 Fast Tips
Welcome to a new series I’m experimenting with across this blog and social media! I’m calling it #fasttipsfridays: every Friday, any topic (especially those that are useful for creatives), five fast tips. Let me know what topics you’d like to see explored!
This week I’ve chosen to talk about LIGHT, because, well, the days are getting shorter and darker (assuming you’re north of the equator). Seasonal affective disorder and winter fatigue can drain energy and creativity, so if you’re like me, now is the time you start thinking about how to stockpile natural light throughout the day. What do you do to get more light during the winter? Here are my 5 fast tips…
- Sit as close to the window as possible. Brightness decreases significantly even a few feet from a natural light source.
- Take light breaks. Instead of longer walks outside (even 20 minutes can be torturous in cold temps!), aim for 5-minute chunks throughout the day: take a coffee break outdoors with a heated mug, walk to the corner and back, or hop off the bus a stop early.
- Spend time in rooms with light-colored walls to amplify the light from windowsand lamps.
- Socialize in bright places. Both community and adequate light are correlated with lower levels of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Kill two birds with one stone–museums, rec centers, ice rinks, swimming pools, and libraries tend to be well lit and fun places to gather.
- Remove your eye wear briefly when outside. Many glasses are now coated with an anti-glare shield that blocks blue light, the kind that promotes wakefulness and good mood.
