Get Some Sunshine

I know I have readers in the southern hemisphere, but for those up north, we are now entering the darkest six weeks of the year. The sun rises past 7 a.m. in my part of the world. It’s dark by 4:30 p.m. If you’re not careful, it’s possible to go days without seeing daylight.

But just because getting some sunshine is harder these days than during long summer evenings, that’s no reason to pretend to live north of the Arctic circle. With a little planning, it’s usually possible to see daylight, even during busy workdays.

The easiest way is to take a few “smokeless smoke breaks.” Pretend you’re a smoker who needs to go outside to light up every few hours…and just don’t smoke. You’ll get all of the upside and none of the downside. We all take breaks anyway, even if we spend them deleting email newsletters we can't remember subscribing to (not this one, right?) Wouldn't it be better to get some sunshine and fresh air instead?

If you want to extend your outside time, check your weather app to choose the warmest, least windy days of the week. Then identify any one-on-one meetings with amenable colleagues on those days, and suggest taking them outside. A leisurely stroll will put everyone in a better frame of mind. If you need to take a quick note, just pull out your phone and send yourself an email. You could also walk outside during any phone calls that don’t require much talking. Mute yourself to avoid any wind and traffic noises, and no one will be the wiser.?

In this Covid era, many restaurants have winter outdoor seating, made toasty by heat lamps. Check to see which places near you look good, and make some reservations for work lunches there.?

If you have any flexibility in your life, or limited commitments after work, you might try shifting your work hours. Most people are going to have a hard time finishing work by 3:30 p.m., which is what you’d need to do to get much post-work daylight. So if that’s not an option, you could decide to work through to nightfall, but start later. Working 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. is much like working 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., but in the latter world you could go for a nice run or walk outside before work.

In any case, the most important thing is to think about it. As hours of daylight dwindle, experiencing them requires conscious choices. So take a few minutes to think about your schedule, and about when you might see the light. When you go back inside, perhaps chilly but refreshed, you’ll be glad you did.

This article originally appeared in an email to my newsletter subscribers. You can sign up at https://lauravanderkam.com/contact/.