Winter blues have scientific basis. Lack of sunlight can cause depression .
By Jenaisle
@Jenaisle (16568)
Philippines
August 11, 2008 6:24am CST
Serotonin is a substance that is usually decreased in depression. Lack of sunlight dercreases serotonin in our body and therefore is one of the various causes of depression. Although there are many factors leading to depression, it has been observed that exposure to sunlight will increase serotonin and therefore reduce depression. Sunlight also enhances the production of Vitamin D wich helps in the maintenance of good health.
It has also been observed that exposure to artificial light could also help lessen depression, because the serotonin levels increase.
So if you feel the winter blues, expose yourself to articial light, go somewhere bright, with lots of light bulbs; and you'll notice your mood would change considerably.
Do you notice this happening to you during winter? What did you do to combat these winter blues?
8 responses
@maximax8 (31042)
• United Kingdom
11 Aug 08
Yes, I have heard about the winter blues and think that you know very much about it. In my home country there is a lack of warm sunshine in the winter time and the evenings get dark so early. The cold weather can make me feel a bit miserable and the frosty days make my feet feel freezing. I think that when winter comes round again I will try the colored light therapy. I feel so happy in the summertime with the warm sunny days and the long light evenings. Next month will be autumn, the start of wintertime. To combat the winter blues sometimes I like to take a tropical holiday.
1 person likes this
@pehpot (4762)
• Philippines
11 Aug 08
Oh that is why when the lights are tured off you feel a little lonely. This is a good topic as I myself usually suffers from decreased serotonin level, what I do is drink lots of pineapple juice as it helps in increasing the level of werotonin in the body. kudos to you for posting this!
1 person likes this
@Xdrowninghavocx (3117)
• United States
17 Aug 08
I've heard about this. I can't say that this affects me because I've been suffering from depression for about 9 years now. So it is yearly and I don't see any difference in the winter. I try to keep my head above water, so to speak, so I won't drown. It's hard most days and some days are just too excruciating.
@lixiaos77 (1030)
• Shijiazhuang, China
11 Aug 08
I did suffer winter depression every year. But when I met the girl i love most, all have changed. I am ever happy when I hear her soft voice. She become the sun always warm my heart. There are some thing science can't explain. We can be subjective in certain situation.
1 person likes this
@eileenleyva (27555)
• Philippines
13 Oct 10
This is very informative. So many people are succumbing into depression without realizing it. Perhaps it has something to do with lack of serotonin. Thank you for the information. I will pass it around...
@besthope44 (12123)
• India
10 Oct 10
Very true, it happens to me. I really go out of mood, feel depressed at winter times. And in summer, i will be the most active one very cheerful. My friends tease how weather can reflect mood. This is a nice topic . Thanks much!
@nilzerous1 (2434)
• India
11 Aug 08
Depending upon my mood I use two sets of lamps - one is very bright when I feel low, and the other one is modest - this is when I feel lot better; I really did not know the behind the screen science of serotonin but I did it from my observation. I also prefer to go out under the Sun when my mood is not very sound. As I toss a lot from going off and on, so, I have learnt to combat with this all by myself.
Now I really find it interesting to know that there is a science behind all this. Thanks for sharing.
@jillhill (37353)
• United States
11 Aug 08
Actually no.....I love winter and don't get depressed at all...it has never bothered me to be holed up in the winter with a lack of sunshine! I guess I am lucky.....they say that serotonin is also partically to blame for people being overweight..I just heard that a couple of weeks ago.
