Turning clocks back can trigger winter blues

CLEVELAND, Ohio (WPVI) -- This weekend, we set the clocks back.

And if that has you feeling down, you're not alone.

Experts say when we loose daylight in the afternoon it can trigger Seasonal Affective Disorder, also known as SAD.

"It's very common for folks predisposed to seasonal affective disorder to start experiencing sluggishness, feelings of sleepiness, really craving sleep, start to crave carbohydrates, maybe gain a little weight, start to feel a little more irritable," says psychologist Scott Bea, Psy.D., of the Cleveland Clinic.

Bea says the daylight change causes the brains in some people to produce more melatonin, leading to the blue mood.

To counter that, get into an exercise program now - moving around helps produces uplifting brain chemicals.

A therapy light can help, too.

About 70 per cent of the people who use a light of 10-thousand lux for half an hour EVERY day see an improvement in their moods.