How to Survive Day Light Savings Time

Around the same time every fall, there are several natural changes that take place. One thing always remains the same; the first Sunday in November and second Sunday in March is daylight savings time. While several folks look forward in the fall to the day that we gain an extra hour of sleep, there are several of us that struggle and dread it yearly. Especially since ‘falling back’ stands for it getting darker one hour earlier. That extra hour of sleep can mean the beginning of a long, dark, cold winter. 

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a type of depression related to the changes of seasons. Most people’s symptoms start in the fall and continue into the winter months, resulting in depletion of energy levels and more irritable. This year, don’t brush off your yearly feeling of “winter blues” and take steps to keep your mood and motivation steady throughout the year. 

Signs of SAD include:

  • Feeling depressed most of the day, nearly everyday

  • Losing interest in activities you once enjoyed

  • Low energy

  • Trouble sleeping

  • Change in appetite

  • Sluggish or agitated

  • Difficulty concentrating

  • Feeling hopeless, worthless, or guilt

  • Having frequent thoughts of death or suicide

While its normal to have some days when you feel down, if you feel downs for several days at time then it's time to talk about getting help. Besides talking to you doctor about the symptoms, there are some natural ways to help. Readying your mind for fall and participating in fall festivities, getting exposure to bright light therapy 20-30 minutes a day, aromatherapy, sticking to a schedule, 30 minutes of exercise daily, avoiding alcohol daily, and natural sun light are several options to help manage symptoms. You may also need to talk with your doctor about starting medication management and speaking with a therapist.



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Katelyn Ricedaylightsavingstime, mental health blog, kentuckyblog