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Daylight Savings Time 2012: 6 Ways To Stay Energized In Cold Weather

When Does Daylight Savings Time End?
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At 2 a.m. on Sunday Nov. 4, most North Americans will turn their clocks an hour behind to end daylight savings time.

Ending daylight saving time (the technical term) or "fall back" for this season, happens once on the first Sunday of November to help North Americans adjust to the change in weather and daylight hours.

Next month, most Canadians will be losing an hour of sunlight but gaining that much-needed extra hour of snooze time, but some Canadian cities and provinces don't experience any time changes at all. All of Saskatchewan (except for Lloydminster) and some towns in Alberta and Manitoba do not experience daylight savings, as decided in 1966 and upheld by the population's preferences in 2011. Some places in Quebec, Ontario and B.C. are also included in this list, according to the CBC.

And if all that icy, cold and dark weather makes you a little bit upset — it's not in your head. That extra hour of sleep may be beneficial for your health, but some studies have found that weather changes can also alter our moods. Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a result of shortened days where people often experience types of clinical depression that can last until spring, according to the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA).

Research for the causes of SAD or "the winter blues" are still ongoing, but the association says there are some symptoms people may start to experience including weight gain, change in appetite, fatigue and often a tendency to oversleep, according to CMHA.

And if dealing with cold fingers and runny noses wasn't enough, the cold Canadian weather can also drain our energy levels, according to ABC News. But experts say changing negative thought patterns or investing in more light in your home are all ways to fight the winter blues.

Just because you're missing some daylight, it doesn't mean winter has to be draining. Here are 6 tips from health experts to stay energized this season — and yes, even in the bitter cold:

Get Your Daily Dose Of Vitamin D

6 Ways To Stay Energized During Daylight Savings Time

Get Your Daily Dose Of Vitamin D

If you're suddenly feeling down this winter, it could be the result of your body's lack of vitamin D. A study at the University of Newcastle in Australia tested the effects of vitamin D supplements on a group of people in late winter. Turns out, people who received vitamin D had a dramatic improvement in their moods. “The two best ways to get the vitamin D you need are to get adequate sun exposure (15 to 30 minutes per day) or to take vitamin D supplements,” says Dr. John Cuomo of USANA Health Sciences.

Add 30 Minutes Of Exercise Daily

The American Heart Association recommends at least 30 minutes of exercise a day and at least three times a week to boost energy levels in the winter.

Get More Zinc

Some studies have shown that zinc could be a natural option to fight off winter colds. One study from the American Society for Microbiology, found that zinc was able to shorten the average length of the common cold by about 7 days and increase the body's energy levels.

Take A Time Out

Take a time out — without the kids. According to Dr. David Sack, psychiatrist and CEO of Promises Treatment Center, taking a ten-minute time out from you day, whether stretching, meditating or just daydreaming, can free your mind and prevent your mind from getting fatigued during cold days.

Look For All Types Of Vitamin B

According to the National Library of Medicine, B vitamins help our bodies make energy from the food we eat. Although most B12 vitamins are found in animals and fish sources, you can also try soy products like soybean or tofu.

Try An Organic Diet

According to Cheryl MacDonald of the Health Psychology of San Diego, eating organic carbohydrates will increase cardiac energy in our bodies. Our liver, she adds, is able to process these carbs quicker and help our bodies feel energetic for a longer period of time.

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