The first day of fall is more than a change on the calendar. It’s a reminder that the days ahead will gradually bring less daylight, cooler temperatures, and more time spent indoors.
For many people, fall is also the perfect time to start thinking about their daily light exposure—not after winter has arrived, but before their routine has fully shifted.
If you’ve been considering bright light therapy, fall can be a great time to establish a consistent routine before the darkest months of the year.
Don’t Wait Until Winter to Think About Light
It’s easy to associate shorter days with winter, but the seasonal transition starts much earlier.
As fall progresses, daylight hours continue to decrease. Mornings can become darker, evenings arrive earlier, and busy schedules may make it harder to spend time outdoors during daylight hours.
By the time winter arrives, you may already have developed a routine that involves considerably less natural daylight.
That’s why fall can be a smart time to start paying attention to your daily light exposure.
Instead of waiting until you’re struggling with your routine during the darker months, consider making bright light therapy part of your day now.
Build the Habit Before You Need It
One of the biggest advantages of starting a light therapy routine in the fall is simply having time to establish a consistent habit.
Think of it like preparing for a change in season.
Rather than waiting for shorter days to completely disrupt your routine, you can begin incorporating bright light into your mornings while your schedule is still relatively familiar.
You might use your light therapy lamp while:
- Enjoying your morning coffee
- Eating breakfast
- Reading
- Planning your day
- Getting ready for work
- Checking your morning schedule
Pairing light therapy with something you already do every morning can make it easier to turn it into a consistent habit.
What About the “Winter Blues”?
The term “winter blues” is commonly used to describe feeling less energetic, motivated, or upbeat during the darker months. While everyday seasonal changes can affect how people experience their routines, it’s important to distinguish this from a diagnosed medical condition.
Bright light therapy is commonly used as part of wellness routines involving seasonal changes in daylight. However, it isn’t appropriate to assume that changes in mood are always caused by a lack of light.
If you’re experiencing persistent or significant changes in mood, energy, sleep, or daily functioning, talk with a qualified healthcare professional.
For everyone else, fall can simply be a good reminder to be intentional about healthy daily habits—including your exposure to light.
Create a Morning Routine That Works All Season
There’s no need to completely redesign your morning.
In fact, the simpler your routine is, the easier it may be to maintain.
Start by choosing a consistent time to use your light therapy lamp and pair it with an activity you already enjoy. Follow your lamp’s recommended instructions for distance, duration, and positioning.
As fall progresses and daylight hours continue to change, you’ll already have a routine in place.
That’s the real goal: consistency before the darkest days arrive.
Make Fall Your Fresh Start
The first day of fall is a natural opportunity to check in with your daily habits.
Are you getting outside during daylight hours? Is your workspace bright? Are you maintaining a consistent morning routine? Could bright light therapy fit naturally into your day?
You don’t have to wait until winter to start making changes.
By establishing healthy habits in the fall, you can create a routine that carries with you as the seasons continue to change.
Start Before the Darkest Days
Fall is the season of transition. The days are getting shorter, but winter is still ahead.
That makes now an ideal time to think about how you’ll incorporate light into your daily routine in the months ahead.
At Alaska Northern Lights, we believe that creating sustainable wellness habits starts with being proactive. Don’t wait for the darkest days of winter to think about your light exposure. Start building your bright light routine this fall.