Winter Blues

Do you also know the feeling of not wanting to get out of bed in the morning?

Driving to work in the dark, sitting all day in heated, artificially lit rooms, and coming home in the dark again – this takes a toll on your mood. Many people experience this. For some, it even develops into winter depression, also called seasonal affective disorder (SAD) or winter blues.

A characteristic of winter depression is persistent fatigue. Upon waking, you would prefer to stay in bed, feel lethargic and unmotivated, and even during the day, energy is lacking. There is often a strong craving for sweets, which leads many sufferers to gain weight in autumn and winter.

When we lack daylight, it alters the balance of the neurotransmitters serotonin and melatonin in the brain – and our mood is more easily disturbed. The sensory cells in our eyes play a major role. When less daylight reaches the eyes, our body releases more melatonin. Melatonin prepares us for sleep, making us tired and less energetic. In contrast, the production of the mood-improving neurotransmitter serotonin decreases when there is a lack of light.

Boost your mood!

Go outside as often as possible, in any weather, ideally for an hour or more. Exercising keeps you fit, and daylight increases the release of the mood-improving serotonin. Bright sunshine is not necessary – enough daylight is available even on cloudy days to keep excessive melatonin production in check.

People who feel unwell often withdraw from activities instead of pursuing hobbies or meeting friends and having fun. Social interaction and positive experiences in daily life contribute greatly to well-being.

So keep your chin up, make plans with nice people – the winter depression disappears naturally with the brighter season.

If the winter blues persist, we can help you find the right solution. Visit us – we are happy to advise you!