What sort of interest is there on daylight savings? We’ve been saving for ages, but we’ve never spent any. These colder fall and winter months include not only a break from the heat of July and August, but also a break from the long and bright days of summer. Days when it’s easy to get out and breathe some fresh air, get in some physical activity, and generally feel better and happier. Not to mention that precious sunlight converting certain cholesterols in the skin into the vitally important vitamin D. Studies have shown for ages that mood and health decline along with the colder months. This begs the question “why do we roll back our clocks and lose an entire hour of precious daylight?” Though you and I may have been asking that question for a long time, researchers from the UK are asking it now and they’re being heard much more loudly and clearly than we.

Mayer Hillman of London’s Policy Studies Institute suggests that daylight savings doesn’t actually save anything. In fact, it eliminates “about 300 additional hours of daylight for adults each year, and 200 more for children.” He published a report on Friday 10/29/2010 online in the British Medical Journal that details studies that demonstrated people’s general decline in mood and energy levels in the shorter days of winter. Even if the extended daylight hour didn’t spur more people into exercising more, it would likely help toward a decline of other known conditions related to the darker winter months: poor mood and depression.

Dr. Robert Graham of New York’s Lenox Hill Hospital agrees with the idea on the basis of vitamin D’s importance. He stated that “Lessons learned by the explosion of research on the benefits of vitamin D add to the argument for not putting the clocks back.”

Up to 20% of Americans experience a form of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) through the winter months. It is a type of depression and in many cases is linked to changes in the amount of daylight at different times of year. It can lead to changes in appetite, fatigue, weight gain, anxiety, and even avoidance of social situations. It is thought that winter onset SAD is caused by the body’s reaction to less sunlight, which is another good reason for keeping that extra hour of light.

Doctors will often also prescribe medications to deal with SAD, but as is often the case…the best answers can be found in nature.

Nail biting
Nearly 30% of young adults bite their nails, and there are reasons beyond ugly hands for breaking this bad habit. Biting your nails can interfere with normal nail growth and damage your tooth enamel. Not only that, but there are plenty of harmful bacteria that live underneath your fingernails, which you certainly don’t want to bite into. Keep your nails trimmed short and there will be less to chew on, and less space for bacteria to live as well. If that doesn’t work, the same products used to stop thumb sucking in children will make your finger nails taste just as terrible.

Losing sleep
Your body depends on sleep not only to recharge energy, but to recharge your immune system. Hormone levels, appetite, and mood are also affected by the amount of sleep you get. Needless to say, there are serious consequences to sleep deprivation, not to mention the effects it can have on your appearance (wrinkles, dark circles, etc.). Treat your sleep like a serious diet to make sure you get enough of it. Keep track of things like caffeine intake and time spent in front of a TV or computer monitor to find out what might be causing your lack of sleep.

Fear of Flossing
Most dentists will tell you that a majority of their patients don’t floss regularly. They’ll also tell you that gum disease is the most preventable disease there is when you practice good oral hygiene, including flossing. Know what else they’ll tell you? That more and more research points to the link between gum disease and more serious concerns like heart disease, stroke, and cancer. See where this is going?

Midnight snacking
The idea of late night eating isn’t so bad itself, it’s the fact that you’re probably not eating the healthiest snacks by the light of the fridge. Combine this with the fact that stomach acids have much easier access to the esophagus when you lay down while you’re still digesting that slice of cold pizza. Try to go to bed earlier and limit the time between dinner and when you might snack, or snack earlier and healthier.

If you’re craving a steak or a burger:
Cravings for red meat can signal a lack of iron, or conjugated linoleic acid, which is a fatty acid that helps your body burn stored fat. A healthier option to replace iron is dark, leafy greens like spinach.  This is especially beneficial if your diet is high in fat or carbohydrates. Try incorporating smaller amounts of red meat into your diet so that you don’t go overboard when you do indulge.

If you’re craving baked goods:
This usually indicates that your blood glucose levels are fluctuating. The stress hormone cortisol triggers the release of glucose, and thereby insulin to regulate it. The sugars and carbohydrates in baked goods raise levels of blood sugar and serotonin, which is a brain chemical that invokes feelings of happiness.  Instead, try a piece of fruit or a glass of 100% fruit juice.  Not only will the natural sugars help level you out, but they also provide nutrients like vitamin C that you can’t get from a brownie.

If you’re craving chocolate:
Chocolate contains an amino acid called phenylalanine, which is essential in the body’s production of brain chemicals dopamine and serotonin.  These chemicals enhance mood, and reduce pain. A better choice is dark chocolate as it has less sugar and more cacao.  Another option is to mix unsweetened cocoa powder with skim milk and add a natural sugar substitute like Stevia.

If you’re craving French fries:
This usually means you’re lacking sodium, or experiencing a blood sugar imbalance caused by cortisol. The simple carbs in potatoes break down to glucose, and the salt will satisfy your need for sodium.  The healthy alternative is salted nuts like almonds, pecans, or walnuts.  These are full of sodium as well as healthy omega 3 fatty acids.  The protein found in nuts will help keep your energy up as well.