The End of Daylight Savings Time & Depression

Let’s talk about the end of Daylight Savings Time and the struggles we face adjusting to light changes.

This time of year has always been a struggle for me. Every year it goes the same! November hits and time to move the clocks back. I never think about it and then the time comes. BAM bring on the depression. The feeling of misery as I am leaving work at 5pm and it is dark outside. It just sucks the life right out of me. Suddenly, I feel off, out of wack, trying to figure out what my problem is. Looking for solutions to a made up problem not realizing its because its dark outside!

Every year I go through the same thing. I find it to be such a struggle to leave work at 5pm in the darkness. When I get home and it is dark outside it feels much later then it actually is and I lose motivation to do anything. It feels like it sucks all my energy like a vampire. I just wanna go home and sleep.

Time to search Google. I thought I would do some research about seasonal depression and how to combat the symptoms. According to the Mayo Clinic, seasonal depression is classified as a type of depression that’s related to changes in the seasons and happens at the same time each year. Most people experience seasonal depression at the start of Fall and through the winter months.

Symtpoms can include, but are not limited to:

• Feeling sad or down throughout the day

• Lose of interest in activities you usually enjoy

• Low energy, feeling sluggish, fatigue

• Change in appetite

• Sleeping problems

• Anxiety

So what can we do about seasonal depression? I’ve never thought to prepare myself for this time of year. It just always seems to sneak up on me, but if you suffer from this yearly then you know its gonna happen! So let’s dive into some common tips I’ve seen on the internet that are suppose to help. Please note I will be sticking to more lifestyle tips. If your symtpoms feel beyond your control please seek medical care. There is nothing wrong with needing to speak with a medical professional or starting a medication to help you.

Change your mindset

Your success and happiness largely depends on your mindset. Your mindset effects how you see the world and how you respond. Your mindset is a big deal!! If your like me and you automatically get down when this time of year hits, let’s try to change how we think about it.

Spring and Summer are a time of preparation. Its time to hustle and work. The weather gets nice, the sun is out and we are outside moving and working. Fall and Winter are then a time to slow down and relax. The darkness means rest. Take it slower. Use this as an opportunity to slow down and relax, to prepare yourself for the future hustle and bustle that will approach with next season. Take this as a chance to rest your mind and body.

The goal is to change your mindset. How can we look at this time differently and put a positive productive spin on this time of year.

Stick to a morning and bedtime routine

Having a routine can be helpful in times of stress. Routines promote structure, organization and can help you feel in control. Your sense of time may feel off with the changes in light but sticking to a routine can help keep you on track. If you have a morning or bedtime routine, now may be a good time to review and evaluate your routine. Maybe there are some things you need to add or remove to suit your lifestyle better in this current season.

Get that morning sunshine

Try to find little ways to get some sunshine in whether it’s taking a scroll at lunch or walking your dog in the morning. I work a 9-5 job most days but it does vary. When I leave for work it is sunny out but when I drive home it is dark so I need to find ways to get some sunshine. How I am going to accomplish this is by walking my dog a little longer every morning, going outside for a few minutes at lunch and spending more time outside on the weekends.

This can be a little more difficult depending on your working hours, but try to think of ways you can add a little more sunshine into your day. In the winter you can sit by a sunny window for a few minutes and read a book.

Maintain a healthy balanced lifestyle

Life is all about balance, so the better balanced your lifestyle the better you will handle changes. In a sense this brings us back around to maintaining those morning and night routines. We need to maintain normal sleep patterns, eat a healthy balanced diet and move your body.

Take a trip

Think about rearranging your vacation time. Generally, most of us vacation when it is summer. What if you planned a little getaway somewhere warm and sunny during the winter months?

The end of Daylight Savings Time is a big change and adjustment. So it is important to understand and prepare for the change. Be gentle with yourself, show yourself love and kindness and embrace this time.

Thanks for reading!

– Rebekah

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