A Sunny November Day

 As anyone living in New England knows, November is traditionally a dark, gray, wet and dreary month. There are times that we are hit with snow early in the month, and depending on your point of view, it is either a blessing or a curse. The upside of early snow is that it allows us to see a bit of beauty as it covers the brown, decaying leaves. The downside...it’s too early for wintry weather. 

For those who suffer from symptoms of light deprivation it can be difficult to get out of bed in the morning, and with the limited daylight they are ready to get back into bed shortly after dinner. They will face mood swings and lack of energy or motivation and may self-isolate and reach for the comfort of carbohydrates. Of course, all of this leads to weight gain and a general feeling of unhappiness. 

November is one of those in-between months. October has many warm days and walks in the woods to enjoy an abundance of bright, colorful foliage. December ushers in winter and the Christmas season when we are feeling more lighthearted. November...the in-between where foliage is blown away gardens fade into a memory. 

However, every now and then November graces us with a bright, beautiful, sunny day that can lift our spirits and help us get through the rest of the month. When the sun is shining it can make even a cooler day a joy. If we are lucky enough to get outside the fresh air is invigorating, and the warmth of the sun on our face can make us forget it’s November. Most of the leaves have left the trees, but there are a few that are hanging on and refusing to let go; their one last stand to say we are still in fall and winter is a month away. 

 

 We will arrive at winter soon enough; there is no need to rush the seasons. When these sunny November days come along, we need to embrace them and push away the gray day blues.