We lose four to eight hours of daylight when winter arrives, and in certain places, like Alaska, that number rises to twelve. Dear Pandas, have you ever noticed how we tend to feel less driven and joyful during the cold season due to the lack of sunshine and colder temperatures? The gloomy attitude that many of us are likely experiencing at the moment, with darkness and cold in full force, is referred to as the “winter blues.”
With a new collection of memes from this Instagram account, Bored Panda has you covered if your serotonin levels need a serious boost. Don’t forget to upvote the ones that most resonated with you as you scroll down to receive more laughs.
While you’re at it, listen to a chat with Gail Herbert, the founder of Growing Connections Counselling and a mental health therapist, who graciously consented to offer some advice on uplifting our spirits during these depressing months.
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Some people’s mental health may be impacted by specific seasons of the year. Gail Herbert, a mental health therapist and the founder of Growing Connections Counselling, explains that occasionally, changes in the temperature or the way sunlight strikes can bring back memories.
“During intense experiences, our brains can detect sensory input that we might not otherwise notice.” The memories of those occasions are stored in our bodies. Our bodies notice, even if the “logical” prefrontal cortex doesn’t,” she says.
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Shorter days and lower temperatures sometimes make people feel more depressed and exhausted, and they may also have trouble focussing or sleeping well. People’s normal states are affected because they leave for work in the dark, spend the entire day in an office, and return home in the dark.
The absence of sunlight during a person’s lunch break can throw off their body’s internal clock, throw off the melatonin levels, and produce a reduction in serotonin, which can lead to the so-called winter blues.
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“The term “winter blues” is not a medical diagnosis; it is a broad term. It is more mild than severe, and it is pretty common. Dr. Matthew Rudorfer, a mental health specialist at the National Institutes of Health, believes that it typically resolves itself in a reasonable period of time. But when melancholy and exhaustion become a hindrance to day-to-day activities, it may indicate a more serious issue.
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However, seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is not the same. The reduction in daylight hours is linked to a well defined clinical diagnosis, according to Rudorfer. “It interferes with day-to-day functioning for a considerable amount of time.” SAD is different from winter blues in that it has far more severe food, sleep, and depression problems and follows a regular pattern as the seasons change. Essentially, it’s like equating seasonal depression with occasional melancholy.
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Approximately 5% of Americans suffer from seasonal depression. Light therapy, which involves spending at least thirty minutes a day staring at a lightbox, is typically used to treat those who are displaying symptoms of SAD. Since not everyone responds well to this kind of treatment, doctors may recommend cognitive behavioural therapy or antidepressants instead. In this kind of talk therapy, patients make every effort to address their negative ideas and adopt new, uplifting behaviours.
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But for the majority of people, seasonal mood swings are short-lived and readily countered by making a few lifestyle adjustments. Herbert advises “going outside and engaging physically with your surroundings as a result.” New affiliations for the season may result from this. Additionally, she suggests journaling as a “brain dump.”” “Express your sentiments in writing for a predetermined period of time. These may be mixed, negative, or favourable. Write down anything comes to mind, then feel free to discard it,” she advises.
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