❶ – Reinterpretation of Darkness and Cold

Okay, that sounds weird, but: At Christmas, it’s also dark and cold. But I think it’s nice.

So I just go ahead and play some (good!) Christmas music, make myself a cup of tea, grab a blanket, and reinterpret the negative sides of the cold seasons as cozy.

Surprisingly, this works really well for me.

❷ – Light Therapy

I have 2 daylight lamps and a new routine: Every morning, I have them directed at me for 60 minutes while I work.

It gets my biorhythm going, wakes me up, and brightens my (dark) apartment.

❸ – Going Outside Every Morning

I go jogging or to the gym every morning. If that doesn’t work, I take a walk. This way, I get out of the house, and the movement wakes me up.

Additionally, I feel generally fitter because of it. Can’t hurt.

Extra hack: Listen to podcasts about work topics while doing this and… bam: It’s continuing education that you often miss otherwise 🤯

❹ – Better Adherence to Daily Routines

I’m now paying even more attention to sticking to my routines and planning my days well.

My morning planning, my lunchtime nap, my breaks, and my evening routine now have a higher priority.

👹 With this, I try to escape the winter depression spiral of less and less energy from the start (Darkness + Cold ➡️ Less Energy ➡️ Less Movement, out of routines ➡️ Even Less Energy).