Where to Find Light When the 4 PM Sunset Hits Different
The short days start getting to me in December. By January, I'm deep in what I now recognize as my hibernating months.
At this point, I know the pattern. Some years I lean into it completely. Other years I give myself a kick in the butt to actually leave the house.
Here's what actually helps when the 4 PM sunset is breaking you.
The Light Therapy Reality
What I bought: A SAD lamp (the kind that's supposed to help with seasonal depression)
The truth about using it:
Research says it actually works
Consistency is hard (I'm not great at it)
You're supposed to use it for 20-30 minutes in the morning
Even inconsistent use seems to help a little
What works for me:
Set it up where I drink my coffee
Don't make it a "thing" - just turn it on
Some mornings I use it, some I don't
Not using it perfectly doesn't mean I failed
If you're going to buy one:
Get one that's 10,000 lux (that's the strength that matters)
Sit about 16-24 inches away
Morning use works better than evening
It's not a miracle, but it takes the edge off
When You Need Actual Greenery and Light
Russell's Garden Center (Wayland) Address: 397 Boston Post Road (Route 20), Wayland
Why this saves January: The greenhouses are warm, humid, and green. Your brain needs green in January.
What I do here:
Go around 2 PM (before the mental slump hits)
Walk slowly through the tropical plant section
Touch the leaves (the texture actually helps)
Stay 15-20 minutes
Don't force myself to buy anything
Best time: Weekday afternoons when it's quiet
Alternatives across MetroWest:
Mahoney's Garden Center (multiple locations including Winchester, Tewksbury, Concord)
Weston Nurseries (multiple MetroWest locations)
Any local greenhouse with winter hours
The strategy is the same everywhere:
Warm air
Green plants
Zero pressure to buy
15 minutes is enough
The Outdoor Option (When You Can Handle It)
Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary (Natick) Address: 280 Eliot Street, Natick
Why this works in winter:
The boardwalk doesn't ice over like regular trails
Surrounded by actual quiet (not house quiet)
Light snow makes it prettier, not harder
Short enough that you're not committed to a "hike"
Best time: 2:00-3:30 PM before sunset
Reality check:
It's still cold
Dress warm
But the silence helps your brain process things
When Leaving the House Isn't Happening
Some days, the hibernation wins. That's not failure.
What actually helps at home:
The SAD lamp I'm inconsistent with (but still try)
Heated blanket set up BEFORE 3 PM (so it's ready)
Letting myself go to bed early without guilt
Understanding this is temporary - February brings longer days
Permission slip: If today's best was surviving until tomorrow, you did enough.
The darkness is real. The seasonal shift is real. Your brain isn't broken - it's responding to Massachusetts winter like it's designed to.
You're not behind. You're just hibernating.