💭5 Notes: Preparing for the time change, get ahead of winter blues,

Welcome to 5 Notes! Today, we're chatting about:

• Today’s affirmation for rest

• How time changes affect our bodies

• The trick to avoiding dry and flaky skin

• Get ahead of the winter blues

• Ellie’s self-care moment

Today’s Affirmation

“I am learning to rest without guilt.”

Why Your Body Feels Off After the Time Change

When clocks “fall back” an hour, it may sound like a bonus—an extra hour of sleep, a slower morning, a gentle reset. But your body’s internal clock doesn’t always agree. The sudden shift can temporarily throw off your circadian rhythm, the system that controls when you feel alert, hungry, or tired. That’s why even one hour can leave you groggy or out of sync for days.

Morning sunlight becomes especially important this time of year. Exposure to natural light helps your body adjust faster, signaling your brain to wake up and rebalance your hormones. Try to get outside early, keep a steady bedtime, and dim bright lights at night. While the fall time change is easier than spring’s “lost hour,” your body still needs time to adapt—so move gently, rest more, and give yourself space to find your rhythm again.

The Trick to Avoiding Dry and Flaky Skin

Have retinols ever left your skin red, dry, or flaky? Some retinols promise transformation but come with irritation and downtime. Clark’s Botanicals Retinol Rescue Overnight Cream takes a different approach. Its time-released system allows retinol and vitamin C to absorb gradually overnight, encouraging renewal without disrupting the skin’s natural balance.

Hyaluronic acid and colloidal oatmeal work with the actives, to help support the skin barrier and reveal a smooth, even texture by morning.

Created by Francesco Clark after a spinal cord injury left his skin hypersensitive, each Clark’s Botanicals formula carries the same purpose, to deliver visible results through balance, not intensity. The result is retinol that restores as it refines: gentle, consistent, and quietly powerful.

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See what makes this retinol different.

Thank you to Clark’s Botanicals for sponsoring Note To Self.

Get Ahead of the Winter Blues

As daylight shortens and temperatures drop, it’s common to feel your energy shift. For some, the winter slowdown is mild—an urge to hibernate or skip social plans. For others, the darker months can bring a deeper heaviness known as seasonal affective disorder, or SAD. This form of depression follows a seasonal pattern, often beginning in late fall and easing when spring returns. Symptoms can include low mood, fatigue, oversleeping, and changes in appetite or motivation.

The good news is that these cycles are predictable, and with awareness, you can get ahead of them. Prioritize morning light exposure, stay physically active, and reach out to your support network before isolation sets in. Even small actions—like taking a short walk, sticking to a routine, or scheduling social time—can help steady your mood. If symptoms persist or start to interfere with your daily life, talking to a healthcare provider can make a real difference.

Self-Care with Ellie: Reading Her Favorite Book

Enjoying Note to Self?