SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (KY3) – Sunset is at 6:17 p.m. Friday and moves to 5:15 p.m. Sunday, when clocks fall back one hour at 2 a.m.

Nia Howard, program and engagement leader for Be Well at Centerstone, said the change can be a good time to notice shifts in how you feel and what you do.

Sunset times
One week ago, the sun set at 6:27 p.m. It sets at 6:17 p.m. Friday and 6:16 p.m. Saturday. On Sunday, sunset is at 5:15 p.m.

The one-hour shift on the clock moves daylight into the morning and away from the evening. The days have been losing about a minute of light each day. In about a month, the sun will set before 5 p.m.

Howard said the change is easy to picture in an ordinary family’s day.

“Sometimes it feels like we’re already packing a whole bunch into our days, but now it feels like the day is so much longer because it’s dark,” Howard said.

What to watch for
Howard said seasonal affective disorder is a form of depression. She said an earlier sunset alone does not indicate someone has the disorder. She said to watch for a change in the person, such as sleeping more, eating differently, or slowly dropping things they usually enjoy.

“And now they’re slowly kind of putting those aside. Maybe it was something as simple as they had a routine where they read at night, every night, and now they’re noticing that they’re not doing that,” Howard said.

Howard said the length of time a person experiences those changes matters. She said to pay particular attention if sleep, appetite, or normal routine starts to change.

When to reach out
Howard recommends making time to get outside during daylight, even during a lunch break, and staying connected with people, even in small ways.

“We want to have connections with people. Connection is really important. It could be the smallest connection with the person at the grocery store, right?” Howard said.

Howard said that if you start feeling lethargic or are losing interest in things you love, do not wait for the season to pass before talking to someone.

“If it’s been more than two weeks, it’s a little bit harder to get out of by ourselves. So that’s why we want to reach out to a trusted friend, a loved one, or even a professional,” Howard said.

“When it’s been two weeks, and you’re just not feeling like yourself, it’s time to be able to reach out to somebody,” she said.

Howard said that person can be a trusted friend or a mental health professional. She said anyone struggling with their mental health who needs immediate help can call 9-8-8 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

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