Thu Nov 07 08:05:43 UTC 2024: ## St. Catharines Man Stays on Daylight Time to Combat Winter Blues
St. Catharines resident Peter Warwick has found a unique way to cope with the seasonal affective disorder he experiences during the winter months: he simply stays on daylight saving time.
For the past four years, Warwick has refused to switch his clocks back to standard time in November. This decision, he says, provides him with an extra hour of daylight in the afternoon, which helps combat his “winter blahs” – a period of depression and low mood associated with the shorter days and colder weather.
Warwick recognizes the potential inconvenience of this decision, but he has found a way to manage his time by keeping only his bedroom and kitchen clocks on daylight time. He relies on his phone and computer, which automatically adjust to standard time, for appointments and other events that require synchronizing with official time.
His efforts to combat the winter blues go beyond simply staying on daylight time. Warwick actively seeks natural light, painting his house in bright colors and strategically placing lamps in rooms to maximize illumination. He also finds solace in virtual walks through Google Street View, particularly along the boardwalk at Point Pelee.
Warwick acknowledges that despite his efforts, the winter months are still difficult. However, he finds hope in the gradual lengthening of days, noting that even a minute’s difference in sunrise and sunset time brings a sense of optimism and a reminder that spring is approaching.
First Piper 