5 Tips for Beating the Daylight Savings Blues

Daylight savings time adjustments can induce depression in people suffering from Seasonal Affective Disorder. Here are some tips for beating the blues.

By Kathryn Hawkins. Posted on November 07 2011

Did you remember to set your clock back on Sunday? Daylight savings may help save on electricity costs, but seeing the skies darken before you leave the office can be a major bummer, particularly for people who suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder. Time offers some tips on beating the daylight savings blues:

1) Use light therapy. Michael Terman, the director of the Center for Light Treatment and Biological Rhythms at Columbia University Medical Center, claims that using a lightbox first thing in the morning, or visiting a light therapist, can help your body adjust to changing sleep patterns and provide an energy boost. “And it has direct antidepressant properties, stimulating the same neurotransmitters as antidepressant medications,” he told Time.
2) Exercise. Regular exercise at a set time of day can help create a healthy habit. Ongoing aerobic workouts have been proven to reduce depression, so don’t make excuses: Hit the gym or a walking trail each morning for an all-day mood boost.
3) Get a massage. Booking a session with a local masseuse isn’t a luxury: It’s a proven way to treat depression. Massage can decrease the stress hormone cortisol, while increasing levels of serotonin.
4) Drink your coffee. A recent analysis from the Nurses’ Health Study discovered that women who drink more than four cups of coffee a day were 20 percent less likely to become depressed than women who drank less. So, if daylight savings is getting you down, an extra shot of espresso might be just the ticket to get you back on track.
5) Eat more seafood. Seafood such as salmon and sardines are rich in Omega-3s, which have positive effects on depression. A nutritional supplement called SAM-e can also provide a mood boost; talk to your doctor for tips on naturally treating the blues.

Filed under: Health and Wellbeing,

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