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.

Daylight_StandardTime_Inforgraphic

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

 

Symptoms of SAD
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

Phototherapy
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?

 

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Chip KidWxDevicesGet 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]