I reside in the Midwest and dread the yearly time change—these 14 beauty and wellness products help me cope.

      I grew up in the Midwest but spent most of my 20s in warmer, sunnier places. My first stop was Los Angeles, followed by a move to Austin, Texas. As I neared 30, I chose to return to my hometown because I missed the people, the relaxed lifestyle, and the four seasons. Now that I've been back for a few years, I can confidently say it was the right decision; I truly love it here. However, there’s one aspect I can’t stand—actually, I dread it. I'm referring to the annual time change. Living in Northern Michigan means a 5 p.m. sunset, which translates to dark mornings, dark evenings filled with work, and dark dinners. This, combined with freezing temperatures and snowfall, plummets my energy levels. While I think it’s essential to adapt to the rhythm of the seasons—embracing a cozy, homebody attitude from late fall through winter—I can’t just stay home and sleep through the season, nor do I want to. To maintain my well-being, I've developed what I believe is the ideal self-care routine. Below are 14 beauty and wellness essentials that help me combat the effects of the dreaded time change. I hope they prove as beneficial to you as they have to me.

      The last light from one of my few remaining post-6 p.m. sunsets

      My 13 Beauty & Wellness Essentials for Fall and Winter

      **Hatch Restore 3 Smart Sunrise Alarm Clock**

      Waking up in total darkness makes it much easier for me to hit snooze, turn over, and drift back to sleep. The downside to that is A) I'd be late to work every day and B) I'd wake up groggy and need an excessive amount of caffeine to get through the day. Fortunately, I have a Hatch alarm clock. Unlike standard alarm clocks, this is a smart one. It promotes a healthy circadian rhythm with a sunrise lamp that mimics the gradual lighting of dawn. It also offers customizable alarm sounds (I’ve chosen a chorus of birds), making it far superior to the jarring sound of an iPhone alarm. It even features a "wind-down" setting that simulates a slow sunset, signaling to your brain and body that it’s time to rest. There are numerous fantastic features, but beyond its functionality, I think it looks lovely on my bedside table.

      **Nespresso Lattissima One by de'Longhi**

      I’m a coffee enthusiast. I rarely skip it, and usually, I have more than one cup a day. I enjoy the aroma, the taste, and the ritual involved. This Nespresso machine is one of my treasured possessions. It produces rich shots of espresso, comes with a built-in milk frother for lattes and cappuccinos, and is largely self-cleaning. Call it laziness, but I find this much more appealing than using a complicated espresso machine in the mornings.

      **Joanna Vargas Vitamin C Face Wash**

      Once I’m up and have had my coffee, I start my skincare routine with this vitamin C face wash. It’s enriched with antioxidant-rich açaí, goji berry, and citrus oils, alongside exfoliating galactoarabinan (derived from larch trees) and hydrating hyaluronic acid. It leaves my skin feeling incredibly clean and smooth. The best part is the scent—it’s reminiscent of fresh tangerines or juicy oranges, and the bright, zesty fragrance never fails to energize me on cold, dark mornings—definitely a 10/10 recommendation.

      **YSE Beauty The Overachiever Brightening & Depuffing Eye Patches**

      The entire Who What Wear beauty team is aware of my love for these eye masks. I’ve sung their praises for months, and I’ll continue to do so. Packed with vitamin C, peptides, and allantoin, they genuinely brighten dark circles, reduce puffiness, and smooth lines in as little as 15 minutes. I rely on them to help me look alert even when I’m exhausted and short on sleep. And when I travel? They're always in my carry-on. (They’re so impressive they won a Who What Wear Beauty Award—just a note!)

      I adore fall and winter, and I strive to enjoy every part of them, but running in the snow is simply not for me. Instead, I prefer stretching, yoga, or Pilates on a warm indoor mat. My favorite is from ALO Yoga; it's thick and grippy, preventing slips that can happen with other workout mats.

      **Le Specs Duskfall Blue Light Glasses**

      The blue light emitted by computer and phone screens is known to disrupt circadian rhythms and make good sleep harder to achieve. As I spend significantly more time indoors during the fall and winter, using electronic devices increases. That’s why I make it a point to wear blue light-blocking glasses. I have a small collection of them (they’re just as stylish