WILLIAMSBURG— On Sunday, Nov. 3, at 2 a.m. the clocks will turn back an hour as Daylight Saving Time comes to a close.
When setting clocks back one hour, it is also recommended to check batteries in smoke alarms.
According to Healthline.com, many people experience seasonal depression during the late fall and winter months. Thanks in part to lack of sun exposure and colder temperatures, many face challenges with regulating their circadian rhythm.
“Our body clock is set based upon our exposure to sunlight. When light enters our eyes, it sends the message to our brain that it’s time to wake up. When it’s dark outside, a hormonal signal is sent to our brain that it’s time to sleep. During the fall and winter, when the days are shorter, our body clock may become disrupted due to a lack of exposure to sunlight. This can lead to the symptoms we know as seasonal depression,” Healthline says.
To combat seasonal depression, MayoClinic offered the following tips:
- Exercise regularly: Exercise and other types of physical activity help relieve stress and anxiety, both of which can increase symptoms. Being more fit can make you feel better about yourself, too, which can lift your mood.
- Get outside: Take a long walk, eat lunch at a nearby park, or simply sit on a bench and soak up the sun. Even on cold or cloudy days, outdoor light can help — especially if you spend some time outside within two hours of getting up in the morning.
- Make your environment sunnier and brighter: Open blinds, trim tree branches that block sunlight or add skylights to your home. Sit closer to bright windows while at home or in the office.
- Normalize sleep patterns: Schedule reliable times to wake up and go to bed each day. Especially for fall-winter-onset , reduce or eliminate napping and oversleeping.
