Winter blues
Do you know that feeling when you don't want to get up in the morning?
Driving to work in the dark in the morning, sitting in heated, artificially lit rooms during the day, coming home in the dark in the evening—it really affects your mood. Many people feel this way. Some even develop winter depression, also known as "seasonal affective disorder" or the winter blues.
A characteristic symptom of winter depression is persistent fatigue. Even after waking up, you would prefer to stay in bed; you feel tired and listless, and you lack energy during the day as well. On top of that, you have a strong craving for sweets. Many sufferers therefore gain weight in the fall and winter.
A lack of daylight changes the balance of the neurotransmitters serotonin and melatonin in the brain – and the soul becomes more easily unbalanced than usual. The sensory cells in our eyes play a major role in this. When less daylight enters the eye, our body releases more melatonin. Melatonin prepares us for sleep and makes us tired and listless. The production of the mood-lifting hormone serotonin, on the other hand, decreases when there is a lack of light.
Make sure you're in a good mood!
Go outside as often as possible and in all weathers, preferably for an hour or more. Exercise keeps you fit – and daylight causes the mood-lifting hormone serotonin to be released in greater quantities. You don't need bright sunshine for this. Even when the sky is overcast, there is still enough daylight to keep excessive melatonin production in check.
People who don't feel well often withdraw into themselves instead of pursuing their hobbies or meeting friends and having fun with them. Yet being with others and having positive experiences in everyday life contribute greatly to well-being. So pull yourself together and make plans with nice people. Winter depression disappears on its own with the arrival of the brighter season.
If the winter blues persist, we will find a suitable solution for you. Come by, we will be happy to advise you.