Golden autumn afternoons, fall foliage and cooler temperatures are a welcome change for most people after a long hot summer, but families should be watchful that the change in seasons could lead to sleep problems and other behavioral troubles for adults, teens and children.
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that affects an estimated six percent of the population. A person with SAD can experience unexplained fatigue as daylight hours grow shorter into the fall and winter months. Other symptoms could include increased irritability, increased daytime sleepiness (as opposed to most other forms of depression, which can cause insomnia), difficulty concentrating, and craving carbohydrates and sugary foods, so-called “comfort foods.”
“For some folks, autumn clearly presents something much more than just ‘great sleeping weather,’” says Dan Schecter, creator of SleepBetter.org. “If families suspect they are affected by SAD, they should seek a proper diagnosis from a physician or mental health professional.”
Schecter said families can also take steps on their own to encourage healthy sleep patterns as the seasons change:
• Make seasonal adjustments, if necessary, but set regular sleeping and waking times and stick with the schedule, even on weekends.
• Get plenty of exercise, outdoors if at all possible, to maximize exposure to daylight.
• Ensure your home sleeping environment and bedding are clean and appropriate to the season.
• Eat a well-balanced diet with sufficient vitamins and minerals.
Source: SleepBetter.org
Published with permission from RISMedia.
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