Have you been missing the sun at the end of your day? This year, the return to Standard Time was buffered by warmer than normal temperatures to start November, but the timing made for a unique set up. Baltimore is making the jump of sunsets in the hour of 6 PM to 4 PM rather quickly. In fact, only six days this autumn are spent with sunsets in the 5 O’Clock range, starting November. At this point, we are losing 2 minutes of daylight each day. One minute on each end of the day. Soak it up while you can, as the air gets colder, this will be even more noticeable. We are on borrowed time with leftover warmth, but the solar energy and length is the same as mid winter. Check out the comparative sun stats in this infographic. It is a primary reason for Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) depression. More on that below.
Thanks to Kristin Hollis for helping design this graphic
SAD- Seasonal Affective Disorder
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a major problem in northern countries where office-bound workers rarely benefit from natural sunlight. Learning how to recognise and cope with SAD can help you have a happy and healthy winter.
I love stats, but sometimes an infographic can be more pleasing to the eye. See that below this list.
Facts About SAD
- SAD is a type of winter depression caused by a biochemical imbalance in the hypothalamus owing to the lack of sunlight in winter
- Subsyndromal SAD (also known as the winter blues) is the disorder’s less severe form
- SAD is most common between the ages of 18 and 30, but can develop at any age and without warning
- A study reported 6-35% of SAD sufferers require hospitalisation during one period of illness
- Although most SAD sufferers experience the symptoms of severe depression, as many as 20% can experience or go on to experience bipolar disorder
Source: Fix.com
Symptoms of SAD
- Individual experiences with SAD vary, but there arc a few symptoms you can look out for if you are feeling blue:
- Negative thoughts and feelings of guilt
- Lethargy, disturbed sleep or narcoleptic symptoms
- Fatigue that is often incapacitating
- Overeating and developing a craving for carbohydrates and sweet foods
- Difficulty with concentration and memory
- Social problems, such as finding it difficult lobe around others
Treatments of SAD
- If you are experiencing SAD, or a case of the winter blues, consult with your doctor about the following treatments:
- SAD lamp therapy
- Try to find time each day to get outside
- Take regular, moderate exercise or physical activity
- Eat a well-balanced diet
- Learn relaxation techniques
- Sit near windows when you are inside
Source: Fix.com
Winter Links
Strong El Nino Brings All Or Nothing Snow in Winter
Farmers Almanacs Winter Outlooks Favor Snow
El Nino Snow And The Baltimore Orioles
El Nino 2015 Is Too Big To Fail
El Nino 2015 Compared to 1997 By NOAA: Strongest On Record?
Share your thoughts, best weather pics/video, or just keep in touch via social media
- Facebook: Justin Berk, Meteorologist
- Twitter: @JustinWeather
- Instagram: justinweather
Get the award winning Kid Weather App I made with my oldest son and support our love for science, weather, and technology. Our 3 year anniversary of the release and our contribution to STEM education is this November. It has been downloaded in 60 countries, and works in both temperature scales. With your support we can expand on the fun introduction to science and real weather.[/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]