Turning back your clocks Saturday night might give you an hour of sleep, but the transition from daylight saving time can be difficult to handle. As the days get shorter, the number of people who experience symptoms of depression increase. According to a study published in the scientific journal Epidemiology, it’s estimated that 5% of Americans slip into what’s known as seasonal affective disorder, or SAD, while millions more experience the “winter blues,” which is a milder form of seasonal depression. And while we can’t change the seasons, experts say going into hibernation during wintertime is not the answer. He said many cases of seasonal depression can be self-treated, such as getting more light, exercising more often and putting more light in your home. Even though it’s tempting to sleep more when it’s dark outside, that’s the worst thing to do, according to Dr. Robert Oexman, director of the Sleep to Live Institute. Instead, he said, you should get on the right schedule quickly, and can successfully shift your circadian clock one hour in one day, and you’ll be fine in a day or two.
