Finding Your Light: How to Find Your Energy When the Days Get Shorter
Finding Your Light: How to Find Your Energy When the Days Get Shorter
As the days grow shorter, our bodies and minds can start to feel it. Less sunlight means less vitamin D, lower energy, and often a dip in mood. But with a few intentional habits, you can feel steady and vibrant all season long. Let’s look at how both early birds and night owls can regulate their light exposure, boost energy, and rest deeply.
Morning Light: A Gift for the Early Birds
If you naturally rise early, you already have an advantage with the morning sun. Morning light exposure resets your circadian rhythm, helps regulate cortisol, and supports better sleep at night.
Tips for early birds:
Step outside within 30 minutes of waking, even on cloudy days. Natural light triggers serotonin, your feel-good, wake-up hormone.
Pair your morning light ritual with grounding: stand barefoot on grass or a porch to soak in that calm “earthing” energy (great for your adrenals too).
Add a warm lemon water to gently alkalize and wake up digestion.
Energy breakfast combo:
Scrambled eggs or tofu with spinach and avocado toast.
Green smoothie with chia seeds, banana, and almond butter for sustained energy.
Evening Light: A Reset for the Night Owls
If you come alive in the evening, you may find mornings rough and sleep elusive. This is where light discipline is key.
Tips for night owls:
Use a sunrise alarm clock to simulate dawn and ease your body into waking naturally.
Limit bright screens after sunset. Blue light blocks melatonin, making it harder to fall asleep.
Try a salt lamp or candlelight in the evenings — soft, warm light helps your brain shift gears for rest.
Sleep-promoting dinner combo:
Wild salmon (rich in omega-3s and vitamin D) with roasted sweet potatoes and sautéed kale .
Herbal tea with chamomile or lavender before bed.
Food and Light Work Together
Your food choices play a huge role in how your body regulates day-night energy.
For daytime energy: Combine complex carbs, healthy fats, and protein, like quinoa with veggies and olive oil, or a handful of almonds with fruit.
For restful sleep: Avoid caffeine after 2 p.m. and crowd out sugary snacks with magnesium-rich foods like dark chocolate, bananas, and leafy greens.
Exercise and Movement
When sunlight is scarce, movement becomes your second source of light.
Early birds: Go for a brisk morning walk outdoors to catch that precious light.
Night owls: Try gentle evening stretches or a short strength session in bright indoor light to burn off stress and help your body wind down later.
Bonus: Movement increases serotonin and boosts immune resilience. These are two things that keep you glowing through dark days.
Therapeutic Light and Mood Support
If you’re in a region with very short days (hello, Indiana winters!), a light therapy lamp can be a game changer. Use it for 20 minutes each morning to mimic natural daylight and lift your mood.
Add in therapeutic rituals like:
Epsom salt baths with lavender oil.
Journaling by candlelight.
Meditation or prayer with eyes closed, imagining warm sunlight flooding your body.
Other Simple Joys to Brighten Your Days
Diffuse citrus essential oils. They mimic the bright energy of sunshine.
Keep a few houseplants in well-lit spaces for a natural air and mood lift.
Socialize intentionally, connection itself is light for your soul.
Light is energy and while we can’t control the sun, we can cultivate our own light through nourishment, rhythm, and joyful living. Whether you rise with the dawn or come alive at dusk, give your body the consistency, color, and calm it craves.
Ready to restore your energy and balance your rhythms this season?
Join my Energy Recovery Protocol for practical steps to support your hormones, stress response, and energy…even through the darkest months.
