Turning the clocks back an hour can be hard to handle for many people.
A new Danish study analysed over 185,000 diagnoses of severe depression between 1995 and 2012. Researchers found an 11% rise immediately following the transition from Daylight Saving Time.
The reported cases gradually subside after 10 weeks.
We lose an hour of daylight in the afternoon. Many people are arriving home after work in the dark.
So we’re not spending enough time in daylight.
No matter what time of the year it is, light has a powerful effect on the brain. It can boost serotonin and this is helpful for those with depression.
Get outside, try an an early morning walk after sunrise. The exercise combined with light will help, even on cold cloudy days.
You can’t change the weather, but here’s my prescriptions for things you can change:
Partha’s RX:
1. Brighten up your home at night with artificial light
You can also invest in a light therapy box.
2. Use a timer on your bedside lamp
It’s better to wake up to bright light than a dark room.
3. Don't eat too many carbohydrates
They’ll give you extra energy boosts but they won’t last long.
4. Take a trip
Plan a winter vacation to somewhere that’s typically sunny.
If every year you feel depressed, fatigued and irritable at this time, and it’s seasonal related, you should talk to your doctor. He may recommend lifestyle changes and treatment.
