As the days are shortened and the temperature drops, many people experience a mood shift. They experience sadness, loneliness and even low energy. Why does this happen even when there is no visible change in the life conditions? Have you ever noticed that visiting mountains brings a deep sense of clarity and calm? We feel emotionally balanced, and there is a feeling of renewal, optimism, and resilience. The article reflects on how our mood gets affected by changes in seasons.
Winter Blues
Winter blues are experienced typically during the colder months. We may feel unmotivated, unhappy or unsatisfied for days or weeks (Scotti, J. F., 2024). We feel lethargic and more gloomy than usual. Winter blues are very common among the population. A similar but more severe condition is seasonal affective disorder, or SAD. Sometimes also called winter depression or seasonal depression. People with SAD feel changes in mood and symptoms similar to depression. Winter blues may turn into seasonal affective disorder when symptoms of winter blues start affecting an individual to the point where the individual experiences an inability to function in daily life.
People experiencing these conditions face difficulty in regulating the neurotransmitter serotonin, responsible for balancing mood (McMahon, B., Andersen, et al., 2014). They also experience difficulty with overproduction of melatonin, which is a hormone that responds to darkness by causing sleepiness. This happens because during winter there is less sunlight. Hence, the feelings of lethargy and sleepiness are a response to the overproduction of melatonin (Miller, A. L., 2005). The combination of imbalances in both hormones causes disturbed circadian rhythms also. Also, due to less sunlight exposure on the skin in winter, there is less production of vitamin D. Deficiency in vitamin D is associated with clinically significant depressive symptoms (Kerr, D. C. et al., 2015)
Summer Seasonal Pattern Disorder
In contrast to winter blues, there is another less frequently occurring summer seasonal pattern disorder where individuals experience irritability along with other symptoms such as poor appetite leading to weight loss, insomnia, agitation, restlessness, violent behaviour, and anxiety as well (Kasper, S., Wehr, T. A. et al.,1989). It is considered a subtype of depression. The symptoms of this disorder may begin during the summer or spring due to heat or humidity. To deal with mood disturbances, treatment includes air conditioning, counselling, and medication.
Read More: Understanding Seasonal Migraine Triggers: Myths, Causes, and Coping Strategies
How do seasons affect mood?
Changes in seasons are more than just weather changes. Seasonal changes are considered to impact human mood as well as behaviour, sometimes even leading to psychiatric illnesses like depression. As seasons change, there are changes in daylight, temperature and daily routine which impact our emotional well-being. Sunlight plays an important role in the regulation of our mood by directly impacting serotonin and melatonin.
For example, shorter days in fall and winter can cause feelings of fatigue and sadness, whereas longer days during summer and spring can cause restlessness or anxiety. A fall in temperature during winter can make people feel less motivated to be active and withdraw socially, while a temperature rise and hotter days can make individuals feel irritable. Other factors, like changes in routine and altered social interactions during different seasons, also contribute to mental health hassles.
Our brain relies heavily on environmental cues for the regulation of hormones. When there are changes in the environment, it also impacts the secretion of hormones, mainly serotonin and melatonin. Serotonin levels change based on sunlight exposure. For example, the level of serotonin may drop during winter but increase during summer. Which is why during summers we experience a better mood than winters (Sarrias, M. J., Artigas et al., 1989). Melatonin levels, on the other hand, are influenced by day length.
For example, during winters, there are longer nights, hence more production of melatonin and during summers, the nights are shorter, hence lower the level. As it regulates sleep, this is the reason that we feel sleepy during winter. Studies show that spring is the period of transition, and in certain organisms, melatonin peaks during spring(Wehr T. A.,1997). Apart from these two hormones, Vitamin D also plays an important role. Vitamin D during the summer is produced more due to more sunlight exposure, while during the winter it may decrease (Ghareghani, M., Zibara, K., & Rivest, S., 2023). Vitamin D influences mood as its deficiency causes fatigue, increased sensitivity to pain, sadness, and feelings of helplessness, which are similar to symptoms of depression.
Change in seasons impacts not only our mood but also our behaviour as well. For example, we commonly see that people become more irritated and aggressive when it’s hot outside. Aggressive behaviour also tends to peak in summer months (Kenrick & MacFarlane, 1996). Not only this, but seasons also influence how kind we are to others. For example, studies show that charity in countries with Christian traditions increases around Christmas (Ekström, 2018).
Conclusion
Seasons impact everything from our mood to our mating behaviour. Understanding how seasons impact our hormones and mood can help us navigate better emotionally. To deal with the impact of seasons, we can try indulging in exercise. This may feel difficult, but it is the fastest way to feel better. Spending time in nature is a natural way to healing. Also, making something creative or trying a new activity like doodling or colouring can also help. Increasing light exposure during winter can help deal with winter blues. Consistent sleep and a balanced diet also help in managing energy levels.
References +
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