What Are Persephone Days? Understanding Seasonal Light Shifts
Do you know what a Persephone Day is?
Yeah – neither did I until I started doing winter gardening. Basically, it’s when we get less than 10 hours of sunlight in a day. It’s a nod to the Greek Goddess Persephone, who was whisked away by Hades to spend 6 months of the year in the underworld. While she was gone, her mother, Demeter, went into mourning, and everything went dormant.
Or in our case, when late fall hits.
Why am I talking about this now? Because just like Demeter was very sad while her daughter was gone – many of us New Englanders experience Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).
And the time to deal with that is NOW. Not when you’re actually feeling sad.
If the shift in light always has you feeling a bit blue, now is the time for:
Vitamin D Check – Since the sunlight that helps us produce vitamin D is fading, make sure you’re topping off those levels. A simple supplement can make all the difference in boosting your mood and immune system.
Light Therapy – Consider getting a light therapy lamp to simulate the sunlight you’re missing. Using it for just 20-30 minutes in the morning can help balance your body’s internal clock and lift your mood.
Move While You Can – As the days get shorter, it’s easy to become more sedentary. Make a plan to stay active, even if it’s just taking a walk during daylight hours or doing some gentle stretching at home. Movement helps keep the blues at bay.
And of course, don’t forget the power of acupuncture in helping you stay balanced during seasonal transitions. It’s a gentle, natural way to support your body and mind as we head into the darker months.