I had an epiphany this morning, like a sudden shaft of light, literally streaming into the room. I was woken by a door knock, turned out to be to read the meters, they still need to be checked alongside smart meters, apparently, my alarm had not yet gone off and I wasn’t feeling it, so I returned to my room where I faced the window and saw the morning light breaking through cheerfully. AAArgh it came to me in that second, I have shut the light out, it’s no wonder I’ve been struggling to rouse.
Fireworks have been banging away recently and one dog is terrified, as a solution I moved the screen I use to hide a section of the room for storage and instead drew it out along in front of the window. Making it mostly pitch dark, with a thin sliver of light where it doesn’t quite meet the end of the window. We have been snuggling up in this huge dog nest of a room for weeks now. I do think I sleep more deeply in the dark and it does feel cosy, and I have enjoyed that hibernating feeling.
Today it hit me like a punch in the gut, what a fool I’ve been, years ago now I changed my window dressings to let the morning light come flooding in over me as I lie in bed, morning, changing light is essential for me waking up. I soak it up as my brain gradually rouses and prepares for the day, I discovered this decades ago and have always ensured that the morning light washes over me as I sleep, until I am ready to tackle the day ahead. Currently I have a white slatted blind, that lets in a little too much light so I have added a black out blind, so that I can darken it if needed, it hangs halfway, I dare not touch it, as it will fall down, oh the curse of my DIY.
Sleep masks are a handy tip, they never stay on so allow you to switch off for a daytime sleep and have always gone by morning light.
Its Autumn, nearly winter, time to turn on the lights, especially the SAD light, time to run that as I sit and write or read or fiddle with crafts. I feel my eyes widen with this light, like my eyes are opening up a channel to my brain, it’s just one small thing we can do to help, and I find it works.
So, pull back those thick winter curtains, change them for thin light-coloured ones that let the morning sunrise through, change your bed position to maximise this natural light
Do all you can to make the most of day light around the house, spend at least 10 minutes outside each day, with your head and face to the sun, absorb that vitamin D, mostly learn to appreciate the brightness and banish the dark. Accept that winter means more sleep, don’t fight it, just ensure you harness the light and do as much as you can, soon spring will spring again and the longer days will bring more opportunities, until then, take it easy.
Let the light in!
Chris. xx
Living With ME 