Does The Weather Impact Seasonal Affective Disorder Or The Winter Blues?

Seasonal Affective Disorder and Winter Blues

Has Seasonal Affective Disorder and Winter Blues Decreased Because Of This Fairly Mild Weather? Driving around, you can’t help but notice the number of people out on the sidewalks and in the parks. All are seemingly enjoying these glorious winter days. People look like they are enjoying this season.

You may have noticed another thing happening that is unlike the memories of winters past. There seems to be very little complaining – no gripping about the bitter cold, about the difficulty of getting to work, or about the gloominess of the day.

Has the increase in sunny, mild days rid us of the Seasonal Affective Disorder and Winter Blues? Surely with this great weather these are not issues of concern this year?

What Is Seasonal Affective Disorder and Winter Blues All About

Beverly Beuermann-King of Work Smart Live Smart, comments that “a majority of us feel lower energy and lower mood in the winter time, primarily due to the decreased amount of light that we experience. This year, people are getting outdoors more often and this has helped to decrease this energy and mood difference.”

But Beuermann-King goes on to caution that “despite this wonderful weather, some people are still experiencing mood and energy changes, in some cases, so severe that they are experiencing seasonal depression (Seasonal Affective Disorder).

2 – 3% of the population experience SAD due in part, to the decreased light that we receive in our northern location and the effect it has on our brain chemistry. Beverly Beuermann-King Click to tweet

Next Steps

Beuermann-King suggests that as a way of promoting wellness we should spend at least 20 minutes a day outside, regulate our sleep and focus on eating well to minimize the impact of the winter blues. “These three things can have a dramatic effect on our overall mood and energy level.”