Five things you should do before daylight saving ends this week
As daylight saving comes to a close this Sunday, it’s the last chance to enjoy what’s left of the early evening light. Soon, the sun will be setting before many get home from work, and the cool evening air will settle in.
With sunset just before 7pm AEDT this week, make the most of the fading light with a few simple ideas to boost your wellbeing.
Take a walk (and take the dog, too)
While there’s still ample daylight, carve out a few moments for an early evening walk. You don’t need to lace up your sneakers for a 10-kilometre run to feel the benefits. Sometimes, just a 20-minute stroll around the neighbourhood or a nearby park can do wonders to clear your head, relieve stress, and boost your mood.
Australian Psychology Society chief executive Dr Zena Burgess says going for a walk can help bring you in touch with the “bigger picture of life”. Credit: iStock
If you bring a dog along for the walk, you will enjoy the added bonus of their calming presence. Studies show that spending time with a pet dog can lower anxiety, making it an effective way to unwind.
Australian Psychological Society chief executive Dr Zena Burgess says walking can help reduce cortisol levels and stress, contributing to better mental and physical wellbeing.
“The other thing it does is, when you go for a walk, and you see people walking the other way, people tend to smile at each other. Smiling and greeting each other, even if it’s in passing, is another way to form connection and start to make people feel better about themselves,” she says.
Enjoy a pre-dinner drink with someone you like
Whether it’s with a partner, friend, or colleague, enjoying a drink at a local bar can be an easy way to unwind. With the rise of cosy neighbourhood drinking holes, you don’t have to go far to find a welcoming place to chat, laugh, and escape the stresses of the day. Bonus points if you can walk home before the sun sets.
Catching up with a friend can help break up the day and give you something to look forward to.Credit:
Burgess says these connections don’t have to happen over alcoholic drinks – grabbing an ice-cream or coffee works just as well.
“It is a really nice way to connect with people, particularly making the effort to see people you haven’t seen for a while, reminding yourself about the friendships and the importance of social connection and how that does help mental health,” she says.
“Sharing what’s going on with you and hearing about what’s going on with other people helps you combat any feelings of social isolation.”
Get your hands dirty
You don’t need to be a gardening expert to reap the mental benefits of digging around in the dirt. Gardening, even in small doses, can have a soothing effect and help ground you, Burgess says. It doesn’t require a sprawling backyard, even tending to a few pots on your balcony or a small patch of garden space can be all you need to cultivate your green thumb.
Spend those last evening hours reconnecting with nature and then reap what you sow.
Get active, but skip the gym
Instead of hitting the gym for another round of treadmill monotony, try something more mentally engaging and social, like a game of tennis, Frisbee, or petanque. Engaging in recreational sports helps to keep you fit and offers a mental break, allowing you to focus on the nuances of the game rather than counting reps.
Burgess says being outdoors and taking part in something you enjoy is good for your wellbeing.Credit: Getty Images
These social activities also foster connections with others – something we could all use more of in our lives. Plus, they offer a welcome contrast to the sometimes isolating experience of working out on your own.
“It doesn’t matter what it is, being outside and doing something you enjoy is good for you,” Burgess says.
Enjoy the sunset
It’s easy to get caught up in the rush of everyday life and overlook the beauty that surrounds us. But taking a moment to look up from your phone and watch the sun set can have a profound impact on your mood. With sunset times creeping earlier as we approach the end of daylight saving on April 6, you have the perfect opportunity to pause, take a deep breath, and appreciate the beauty of nature before the day ends.
“It’s not so much watching the sunset – yes, that’s beautiful – but it’s slowing down and just breathing in the air and letting go of the day,” Burgess says.
With the end of the daylight saving period nearing, Burgess says it’s important to give yourself time to adjust to the change.
“Don’t assume that the [change] is nothing because it is something, and it does take people a couple of weeks to get fully adjusted again,” she says.
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