When the clocks fall back each November, our internal rhythms shift right along with the time. Daylight dwindles earlier, the evenings grow darker, and suddenly, we’re faced with a seasonal change that touches both body and spirit. This yearly “fall back” may sound simple enough—just an extra hour in the morning, right? But for many, this small shift has a ripple effect, impacting mood, focus, and even creative flow. It is possible to boost creativity after daylight saving time in ways that improve your well-being.
Affects of Daylight Saving Time
Studies show that adjusting to a new light cycle affects our bodies on a deeper level than we often realize. As psychologist Dr. Michael Terman points out, “Our circadian clocks, which govern daily mood and energy cycles, can become misaligned with the day-night cycle after time changes, especially in the darker months” (Terman, M. et al., 2001). This can lead to what some experience as a touch of the “blues,” or what’s clinically known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). For many, the symptoms are subtle: a dip in energy here, a bit of creative resistance there, or just a sense that everything feels a little… off.
As we move into this season, boosting creativity after daylight saving time might feel harder to summon, especially as days grow shorter. Yet, if we look to nature, we see that fall itself is a season of transition. Trees shed leaves to preserve energy, and animals retreat and rest in preparation for winter. Perhaps, we too can embrace this quieter rhythm, finding flow by honoring our natural need for rest, cozying up to gentler routines, and creating new spaces for inspiration. Rather than fighting the shift, what if we crafted routines that work with it?
In this post, we’ll explore ways to boost creativity after daylight saving time, turning the earlier evenings and dimmer days into a supportive backdrop for your ideas. Think of it as a gentle invitation to slow down, reset, and nourish your creative spirit through simple rituals and routines. Whether you’re finding joy in candle-lit journaling or joining a weekly Creative Power Hour, this shift in seasons can become a beautiful prompt to honor your creativity in fresh, restorative ways.
Embracing the Time Change: Resetting Your Creativity for Well-Being
As the time change alters our environment, it’s common to feel a need for adjustment in both our daily routine and our creative practices. Here’s how to boost creativity after daylight saving time for your well-being and creativity.
1. Tune In to Your Energy Peaks and Valleys
Each of us has a natural rhythm, and it’s wise to observe how yours adapts to seasonal changes. After the time shift, many find that they’re more energized in the morning but tend to wind down earlier in the evening.
Tip: Pay attention to when you feel most awake and focused. Schedule your creative work during these high-energy times—even if it’s just a few minutes of brainstorming or doodling early in the day.
Why it helps: Working with your natural energy flow preserves mental energy, allowing you to do more creative work in less time, with less friction. This is a vital part of learning how to boost creativity after daylight saving time.
2. Get Natural Light for a Daily Mood Boost
Natural light plays a huge role in regulating our moods and energy levels. As daylight fades faster, taking intentional time to bask in the sunlight can help sustain a balanced mood. Research has shown that exposure to natural light can significantly enhance mood and cognitive performance (Rea, M. et al., 2002).
Tip: Aim for at least 15-30 minutes outside in the morning or early afternoon, or bring a light therapy lamp to your creative space if you’re indoors.
Creative Idea: Try “sunshine journaling”—sit in a sunny spot and reflect on how the light affects your thoughts and inspirations. This could be the perfect prompt to spark a new idea.
Why it helps: Exposure to natural light not only boosts serotonin (our “happy” chemical) but also helps regulate your internal clock, making you feel more energized during the day and more restful in the evening. This practice can significantly boost creativity after daylight saving time.
3. Create Cozy, Restorative Evenings for Your Creativity
Dark evenings don’t have to bring down your spirits. Instead, they can invite you into cozier, more restorative forms of creativity that fit the season.
Tip: Adjust your creative sessions to be more reflective and low-pressure in the evenings. Try candle-lit journaling, warm tea by your side, or sketching by a soft lamp.
Creative Activity: Start a “Gratitude Collage” or keep a “Reflection Sketchbook” where you capture moments or ideas that brought you joy each day.
Why it helps: Cozying up to relaxing, small creative acts in the evening can ease you into a restful state, making the time change feel like a welcomed shift instead of a disruption. These rituals help boost creativity after daylight saving time by fostering a nurturing environment.
4. Practice Seasonal Self-Care to Support Your Creative Energy
Self-care becomes even more important when our bodies adjust to seasonal changes. Little practices that lift your mood and reduce stress can also pave the way for more creative moments.
Tip: Set up a simple wellness checklist with small self-care and creative activities like “5 minutes of mindful breathing,” “take a short walk,” or “doodle something that makes you happy.”
Why it helps: These small, nurturing practices restore energy and make it easier to transition into creativity with a clear, focused mind, ultimately helping you to boost creativity after daylight saving time.
5. Build a “New Normal” Routine for Consistent Creativity
Use the time change as a cue to revisit your creative routine. Setting specific times for creativity can make it feel like a natural, enjoyable part of your day.
Tip: Designate your mornings or weekends for creative work, or even add in a weekly evening of candle-lit crafting.
Why it helps: Committing to intentional creative time keeps you grounded and inspired, even as the days get shorter. It’s an opportunity to nurture creativity alongside others and turn it into a reliable source of joy, allowing you to truly boost creativity after daylight saving time.
Concluding Thought: Turning Seasonal Change into an Opportunity
With each shift in season comes an invitation to recalibrate. Instead of resisting the time change or darker days, we can look at them as chances to renew our habits, tune into our needs, and make our creativity a grounding, fulfilling part of our fall rhythm. This season doesn’t have to be about pushing through but instead about pausing, finding warmth in small routines, and allowing creativity to gently guide you.
So, light a candle, sip on something warm, and set your intentions. By aligning with the season rather than fighting it, you might just find that this slower pace brings out the best in you—and in your creative flow.
More information about Seasonal Affective Disorder
References
- Terman, M., Terman, J. S., & Quitkin, F. M. (2001). Circadian Time Structure and the Effects of Light on Mood. American Journal of Psychiatry, 158(8), 1267-1273. DOI: 10.1176/appi.ajp.158.8.1267.
- Rea, M. S., Figueiro, M. G., & Bullough, J. D. (2002). Light Modulates Leptin and Ghrelin in Sleep. International Journal of Obesity, 26(7), 883-887. DOI: 10.1038/sj.ijo.0802032
