With daylight savings happening on
Sunday, November 4th this year, you might think to yourself… What
could I do with that extra hour? Catch up on Netflix shows? Sleep? Workout? Go
out for breakfast? Responsibly enjoy an extra hour at the bar on Saturday
night? ;) Who knows?
The main purpose of daylight savings time is actually to
make better use of daylight. In the summer, we move an hour of daylight from
the morning to the evening and then in the winter, we do the opposite. Shorter
days and longer nights can actually affect both our mental and physical healthy,
which is pretty concerning for us in Canada as the winter time lasts a very,
very, very… very long time. For example, it is possible that less sunlight is
causing you to be less motivated to work out. So if you’ve been feeling a bit
sluggish recently, this could be why. But it affects so much more than just
that.
Did you know, more melatonin (sleep hormone) is produced when it’s dark
outside to induce sleep? When it’s bright out, we produce less. This could be
an explanation for why we feel more lethargic when it gets dark earlier. You’ve
definitely heard that everyone should be getting their daily dose of vitamin D,
either from supplements or food. Vitamin D is made in the skin when it’s
exposed to sunlight. There’s no surprise that we aren’t getting enough of it
now that our daylight hours are shorter. You may think it’s no big deal, but
those of us who aren’t getting enough vitamin D can develop conditions like
rickets and weak bones. You can ALSO suffer from SAD (seasonal affective
disorder). Many people claim to suffer from lower moods in winter, which could
be related to this condition. It is characterized by lethargy, low mood,
excessive tiredness, weight gain and possible a drop in serotonin levels.
The
treatment for SAD is light therapy! Lucky for the uOttawa community, we have a
“Happy Lamp” which we use to combat SAD on campus in UCU203, which you can use
for FREE! If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms don’t be afraid to talk
to a health professional and make sure you take advantage of our “Happy Lamp”.
There is no need to suffer from the winter blues.
If you’d like to learn more about SAD, continue reading:
Seasonal Affective Disorder is a type of
depression that occurs in the same season every year, usually in winter or
fall, but some people may experience symptoms of the disorder during the
summer. These symptoms are very similar to those
of depression, but they appear and disappear at the same time each year.
The major symptom is a state of sadness
and despair
- that is constant and occurs most days or that lasts a long time during the day
- lasting more than 2 weeks
- which influences performance at work, school, or interpersonal relationships
Other symptoms are:
- changes in sleep patterns
- lack of appetite
- lack of interest in pleasant activities
- feeling restless or slow
- irritability
- tiredness
- difficulty concentrating, making decisions or remembering
- crying often or wanting to cry but not getting there
If you feel some or all of these symptoms,
do not hesitate to call a health professional who could help treat your
condition. There are also ways to fight SAD by light therapy (offered for free
at the Health Promotion Center in UCU203).
- Sonia Hajo & Sarah Amrani
- Sonia Hajo & Sarah Amrani