Leaving your 4:10 class now feels like entering the Twilight Zone.

As if this week couldn’t get any more jarring, this past Saturday marked the end of Daylight Savings and the start of eternal winter, or the four months when the sun sets at 4:50 pm. The US first adopted Daylight Savings Time in 1918 to extend daylight hours and reduce the need for artificial lighting during WWII. However, over a century later, we still adjust our clocks one hour ahead in the Spring and one hour behind in the Fall.

As someone from a southern state, daylight savings has always been a point of inconvenience, but never a source of downright depression. Back home, the sun still sets at 5:45 pm and the UV is high enough to feel okay. In the city, 5:45 feels like a witching hour and the seasonal depression is already creeping in. So, in my quest to maintain my sanity in these dark times (literally), I’ve compiled some tips to survive daylight savings: 

  1. Get sunlight in your eyes!

Thanks to climate change, it’s still in the upper-seventies in November—enjoy the sun! I try to make a concerted effort to take advantage of the sunny weather when possible. Luckily, Bwog has already singled out the best outdoor study spaces for your vitamin D-consuming pleasure. Still, might I suggest the benches on Milstein’s outdoor patios? They’re much nicer this time of year now that the spotted lanternflies are gone.

  1. Move your body

Easier said than done, given the strenuous schedule of midterms and a full course load, but still important nevertheless! Luckily, there are plenty of options on campus, including Columbia’s Dodge Fitness Center or the newly-opened LeFrak Center for Well-Being at Barnard. I am personally a fan of Barnard’s FITbear classes, which are free to Barnard students. However, for those trying to make the most of the sunlight and get some exercise in, a hot girl walk through Riverside Park is always a great idea.

  1. Get a sunlight lamp

Have you ever wanted to feel like one of the UV-lit plants growing in Hewitt? Look no further than a light therapy lamp! If you miss out on all of the prime sunlight hours while studying in Butler or trudging through classes, simply flick on your sunlight lamp and soak up some rays. Light exposure has been shown to improve sleep quality and your mood!

  1. Despair?

Yes, the darkness is weird and unfortunate. It’s only going to get colder, taking away the one comfort we have against early sunsets. So, channel your seasonal depression through more constructive means, like curling up with a cup of tea at 4 pm and watching Little Women (2019) in your room with the blinds drawn. The sun will come back in March!

Clock via Bwarchives