Finding Your Energy Again as the Days Get Darker

If you’ve been feeling a bit sluggish lately, you’re not alone. As the evenings draw in and the sunshine becomes more of a rare guest, many of us notice our energy dipping. It’s completely normal — our bodies respond to light, rhythm and season, even if our diaries don’t slow down to match.

I’ve been out on the moor this morning soaking up the sunshine (while it lasts!), and it reminded me how much our wellbeing shifts with the seasons. A simple burst of natural light can make such a difference to mood, sleep, and overall vitality. But what can we do to stay energised when the sunshine isn’t guaranteed?

Why darker days affect our energy

During autumn and winter, our exposure to natural light drops sharply. This can disrupt our circadian rhythm — the body’s internal clock — which affects everything from sleep to hormones to digestion. Lower light can also reduce serotonin levels, making us feel slower, heavier, and less motivated.

If you’ve been finding yourself reaching for an extra coffee at 3pm, you’re not imagining it. Your body is simply adjusting to the seasonal shift.

Simple ways to boost your energy naturally

Here are a few gentle, realistic ways to support yourself through the darker months:

• Get outside whenever you can

Even 10 minutes of natural light helps regulate your body clock. A walk on the moor, a loop around the block, or just standing in the garden with a warm drink can make a noticeable difference.

• Build small “light rituals” into your day

Open the curtains as soon as you’re up, work near a window if possible, or step outside for a quick reset between tasks.

• Move in ways that nourish, not drain

Think walking, stretching, Pilates, slow strength work… nothing heroic. Just movement that feels good.

• Prioritise rest without guilt

Your body isn’t being lazy — it’s being seasonal. Earlier evenings and slower rhythms are deeply natural this time of year.

How reflexology can help with seasonal fatigue

This is where reflexology becomes a wonderful support. Reflexology encourages the body to rebalance, helping with:

• better sleep during the darker months

• reducing stress levels and mental fog

• boosting circulation and overall energy flow

• easing the tension that often creeps in as we hunch against the cold

Clients often say they leave a session feeling “lighter,” “reset,” or “as if someone’s turned the brightness back up.”

Regular treatments during autumn and winter can act as a little anchor — a moment each week or month where your nervous system gets to settle, restore, and catch up with the season.

A gentle reminder for the months ahead

You’re not supposed to power through winter at the same pace as summer. Nature slows down, animals rest, the earth shifts its focus inward. You’re allowed to do the same.

If your energy has dipped recently, be kind to yourself. Seek out small pockets of light, fresh air, and support. And if you’d like to explore how reflexology can help you through the darker months, I’d love to welcome you into the treatment room.