Does setting the clocks back in the fall bother anyone else as much as it bothers me? It’s definitely in the running for my least favorite day of the year. Without fail, it disrupts my sleep (for an annoyingly long period of time) while the longer hours of darkness accompanied by the cold, truly messes with my brain. My mood tends to tank, and I often find myself feeling restless, unmotivated and discontent. The initial transition is the worst because it’s as if the weather taunts me for a while with intermittent warm spells that keep my brain clinging to summer mode. It has a hard time transitioning from summer to fall, so when we set the clocks back, I’m forced to reckon with it.
I hate being cold, (why am I always cold?) especially first thing in the morning. It takes my body an eternity to figure out how to regulate itself. A Herculean effort is required to get up from my comfy chair and warm blanket to put on a jacket then head outside into the cold to go for a walk that was practically effortless during the summer. With the cold lurking just beyond the door, and the early darkness creeping in, I find myself getting sucked into the trap of inactivity. From there it’s easy to get caught in a vicious cycle, where being more sedentary has a profound impact on my physical and mental well-being. There’s no doubt about it— being outside in fresh air and natural light saves me. Immersing myself in nature soothes me, so there’s a noticeable adverse effect on my mind when I spend less time outdoors.
When I actually manage to stop thinking about everything I hate about this time of year, and I just get up and go outside, typically it’s not as bad as my mind wants me to believe. The funny thing is this is actually the perfect time of year for running. Sure it may be freezing when I start, but once I get going I quickly warm up and then appreciate the cold refreshing air. I don’t need to worry about overheating like I do in the summer. Even when the sun shines directly on my face, it’s not strong enough to be that big a deal. When it’s cold, I find myself running a lot faster with less effort because the cool air can be absolutely invigorating.
All of this was obvious to me this morning on my run. I almost gave in to the urge to run on the treadmill in order to avoid dressing in layers to face the 32° temperatures. Thankfully, the sun peeking through the trees beckoned my wiser self, and I chose to listen. It wasn’t long until I realized my cadence was naturally quicker, while my mind effortlessly woke up as I tried to get warm. Once I got going, it was apparent that my body appreciated the crisp air that was easy to breathe without any heat or humidity oppressing me.
My senses delighted in my environment. I noticed the brilliant blue sky, the indescribable scent of freshly fallen leaves that littered the road and surrounding woods, the crows high in the trees screaming good morning to the world and my skin tingling as my sweat evaporated into the cold. Instantly I admired all of the nuances of fall running, which allowed me to finally accept the change of seasons. Instead of extending my gripe with Mother Nature over losing what I love about summer, I embraced all of the benefits of the cooler weather (especially now that Lupus is a factor), and expressed gratitude for this new season.
Even though I’ve come to terms with the cold and darkness in regards to running, I understand I have to be mindful that I don’t get sucked into inactivity for the rest of the day. This is the most challenging part for me. An hour run outside doesn’t cancel out the effects of being inside for the rest of the day sitting in front of a computer. If I’m not vigilant I can very easily wipe out the benefits of my morning run. The continuous artificial light, lack of fresh air in the house for months on end, soft comfy couches and chairs that convince me to sit in all kinds of unhealthy positions that mess up my posture and joints, the smart TV that begs us to become zombies in front of it each night after dinner – all conspire to keep us cozy and still. It definitely works against us – especially during these cold dark months.
There’s no doubt about it. My body needs to move in order to quiet my mind and to thrive. So whenever possible I have to force myself to pile on layers and go outside. Sometimes (especially now before it’s terribly cold) I will grab a big old blanket and sit out on my porch, bundled up ready to read or to write, or to just listen to the birds and breathe in the air. This is such a challenge for me. One of the biggest things I miss about summer is how much easier and more inviting it is to go outside after dinner and just simply move around. I need to trick my mind and convince it that it’s worth it. Even if it’s only 10 minutes at a time.
It’s so easy for me to talk myself out of doing any of this. But I can’t argue the fact that when I get off my butt and go outside to stand by my stream and listen to the running water or walk down the road and gaze into the woods, my body and mind thank me for it. I’m always glad I made the move. Sleep comes easier. There’s no room for regret. My joints and muscles are more mobile and less sore the following day. My mind is calmer and grateful for the boost. It never fails that once I’m out there, I’m in no hurry to go back inside.
So if you’re like me and find the cold and darkness of winter challenging, I encourage you to bundle up and spend as much time as possible outside – even if it’s only for 10 minutes and it’s the last thing you want to do. That’s typically my cue that it’s exactly what I need at that moment. It’s never easy, but it’s ALWAYS beneficial.