Light, Mood, and Mental Health
Light isn’t just about what we see — it regulates our circadian rhythms, sleep cycles, and mood. When clocks go back or forward, even that one-hour shift can throw the body’s rhythm off. For some, this feels like jet lag; for others, it contributes to Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
SAD is more than just “winter blues.” It’s a recognised form of depression linked to reduced daylight, which can affect energy, sleep, appetite, and concentration. The transition periods (clocks changing, shorter days) can amplify these symptoms, even for people who don’t experience SAD year-round.
Practical Ways to Ease the Shift
Here are a few ways which can help with the transition:
- Routine matters – Stick to regular sleep and wake times where possible.
- Seek the light – Natural daylight in the morning can help reset your body clock. A short walk, even on cloudy days, makes a difference.
- Light therapy – For some, light boxes or sunrise alarms offer real benefits.
- Movement and nutrition – Staying active and eating nourishing foods can buffer low energy spells.
- Compassion – Recognise that needing more rest, or feeling lower energy, is a natural response — not a personal failing.
A Supportive Space
Therapy can be a supportive space to explore seasonal changes, mood dips, or the deeper patterns that light and rhythm shifts bring up. Sometimes the hardest part is realising that what feels like “just me being lazy” is actually something shared, understood, and workable.
The clocks changing is a small external event — but one with ripple effects on our inner world. Paying attention to these shifts, and caring for ourselves through them, helps us move with the seasons rather than against them.
