Sunday October 28 at 2am marks the official start of winter when we turn back our clocks so we can catch that one extra hour of sunlight.
However, this year could be the final year for Daylight Saving Time (DST) for countries in the European Union. The European Commission has proposed that either March or October 2019 will be the last time we turn our clocks forward/back an hour, leaving it up to EU members to decide whether we will remain in summer or winter time.
One of the main reasons for DST is to make better use of daylight and to save energy, but for some, this one hour change can really disrupt their body clocks.
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a type of depression caused by changes in the seasons, and most commonly strikes in the winter months as a result of shorter day length. It is estimated to effect approximately 1 in 15 people between September and April, according to Mental Health Ireland. SAD most commonly begins between the ages of 18-30.
Some symptoms of SAD include: depression, lack of energy, over-sleeping, feeling sluggish and agitated and having difficulty concentrating. Some hypotheses liken SAD to having jetlag that lasts for months.
A Danish study found that the number of people diagnosed with depression at psychiatric hospitals increased after the DST transition in winter months and dissipated over 10 weeks.
Is DST to blame for SAD?
On one hand, turning the clocks forward an hour in March means that the days get longer, but for people effected by SAD the end of DST in winter marks the potential beginning of winter depression. In a Europe-wide public survey of 4.6 million, 80% of respondents voted in favour of abolishing Daylight Savings Time.
It’s natural to feel a little more sluggish during the cold, dark winter months, so don’t panic, but with the days getting shorter and the nights getting longer, here are a few ways you can alleviate the winter blues:
Soak up as much daylight as you can– getting outside during the short time that it is bright can help. Go for a walk or run to help get your endorphins pumping. Make some healthy changes like nutrition, reducing stress and get enough sleep.
Try a light therapy box – Scientists believe that one cause of SAD is due to the way our bodies react to light. The lack of daylight can lead to an increase in the production of melatonin, a hormone which regulates sleep and wakefulness, causing lethargy. A light therapy box mimics outdoor light which researchers believe causes a chemical change in the brain that helps ease SAD symptoms, aiding better sleep and mood.