Not Everything is Merry During Christmas—And Here’s Why

Seasonal Blues can be a real, debilitating experience.

Seasonal Blues can be a real, debilitating experience.

“Feeling the winter blues” is a common experience for many during Christmas time. However, many feel as though the term is just another myth theorizing why humans feel the way they do. The lethargic and cold feel of winter weather is known to make each of us feel a bit more languid than usual seasons, and while it is easier to just slum up the abrupt low mood with the angst of intensified pressure at school, work, or home, scientific evidence has shown that the season really can affect our moods. Scientists believe that the root of this feeling is related to the way our bodies react to the lack of daylight. According to Ram Mahato, M.D., medical director of the Center for Behavioral Health at JFK University Medical Center, “This change in sunlight and season can also affect your body’s levels of serotonin and melatonin, two hormones that affect your mood.” This shift from a lack of exposure to sunlight, and disruption in circadian rhythms; your body’s internal clock which help control sleep cycles; is likely to manifest into a gloomy feeling associated with lack or more of sleep and/or lower levels of energy. While feelings of lethargy, inertia, and even apathy, can certainly be attributed to the change in season, it is important to note that these feelings should not permeate all aspects of your life, deeply hindering your ability to enjoy typical days. If you feel that during wintertime you are typically enamored by a deeper sense of sadness, you may be facing Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). According to Mayo Clinic, Seasonal Affective Disorder can be defined as “a type of depression that’s related to changes in seasons—SAD begins and ends at about the same times every year.” SAD, which affects nearly 5 percent of adults and lasts 40% of the year (American Pscyhiatric Association), is also known to cause depression during spring or early summer and may resolve or continue during the fall or winter months. While it is easy to attribute a list of factors; feeling down most of the day, losing interest in things you once enjoyed, difficult concentrating; as symptoms of SAD, it is impertinent that you see your medical doctor for a proper diagnosis and/or treatment. Don’t let yourself get caught up in winter blues—go for a walk during daylight, spend time with friends, enjoy the Christmas lights with your significant other—the sun will come soon.