GriefSPEAK: Goodnight Moon – Mari Nardolillo Dias

Good day sunshine” (The Beatles, 1966, John Lennon and Paul McCartney)

Here we go again, folks. It’s DST! (Daylight Savings Time). A particularly difficult time for grievers. In case you are unaware, DST can seriously affect mental health. DST succeeds in this disruption by impacting on sleep and circadian rhythms, exacerbating depression, anxiety, and SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder). It often impacts on the quality of our sleep, which can increase stress. DST throws a wrench into our biological clock which subsequently affects concentration, mood and thinking. Both sleep disturbances and internal clock disruption can increase depression and irritability. SAD winter blues” affects about 20-30% of our population. Harvard Health emphasized that even a one-hour change can lead to a disruption in dozens of body functions that may result in mood swings and less mental resilience.

Personally, I am on the side of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine – let’s keep permanent standard time! In the meantime, keep a consistent sleep schedule, increase your exposure to light, limit caffeine and screen time in the evening, and most important, keep an eye on any mood changes in depression and/or anxiety (NBC, Chicago).

This is extremely important for grievers, as DST may exacerbate your grief. Robyn Cotney of Piedmont Macon Behavioral Health notes that “reduced sunlight after the time change can lead to SAD and lower energy levels, which may worsen grief related symptoms.”

The pain and sadness associated with grief are heavy enough without adding the additional weight of DST. Get some sunshine every day, sleep well and reach out if your grief during this time gets too big.