Winter Blues

Do you ever feel like you just don't want to get out of bed in the morning?

Driving to work in the dark in the morning, sitting in heated, artificially lit rooms all day, and coming home in the dark again in the evening—it really puts a damper on your mood. Many people feel this way. Some people even develop winter depression, also known as “seasonal affective disorder” or the winter blues.                                                                                                                                

A hallmark of this type of winter depression is persistent fatigue. Right after waking up, you’d rather just stay in bed; you feel sluggish and unmotivated, and you lack energy throughout the day as well. On top of that, you have a strong craving for sweets. As a result, many people affected gain weight in the fall and winter. 

A lack of daylight alters the balance of the neurotransmitters serotonin and melatonin in the brain—and our mood becomes more easily disrupted than usual. The sensory cells in our eyes play a major role in this process. When less daylight reaches the eyes, our bodies release more melatonin. Melatonin prepares us for sleep and makes us feel tired and lethargic. The production of serotonin, which lifts our mood, on the other hand, decreases when there’s a lack of light. 

Keep your spirits up!

Go outside as often as possible, regardless of the weather—ideally for an hour or more. Exercise keeps you fit—and daylight stimulates the release of serotonin, which lifts your mood. You don’t need bright sunshine for this. Even when clouds cover the sky, there’s still enough daylight to help you keep excessive melatonin production in check. 

People who aren’t feeling well often withdraw into themselves instead of pursuing their hobbies or meeting up with friends to have fun. Yet spending time with others and having positive experiences in everyday life contribute greatly to your well-being. So pull yourself together and make plans with nice people. Winter depression goes away on its own as the days get brighter.

If the winter blues persist, we’ll find the right solution for you. Stop by—we’d be happy to advise you.