The winter season brings many changes with it. In this season, the days become shorter and the nights become longer. Due to the drop in temperature, many physical changes also occur. One of these changes is that in this season people start feeling lonely (Winter Depression) and sad (Winter Blues). Have you ever wondered why this happens? Let's know the answer to this question.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

It is not unusual to feel sad in winter. It is also called Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). It is a type of depression that occurs during certain seasons of the year, especially winter.

Why does SAD occur?

There can be many reasons for SAD in winter-

• Lack of sunlight- In winter, the days are shorter and there is less sunlight. Sunlight plays an important role in the production of serotonin, a hormone that affects our mood. When there is less sunlight, serotonin levels also decrease, which can make us feel depressed.
• Increase in melatonin- When the sunlight decreases, the production of a hormone called melatonin increases in our body. This hormone helps in inducing sleep, but in winters, due to increased production of melatonin, we may feel more tired and sleepy.
• Decrease in physical activity- Due to cold in winter, people prefer to stay indoors, which reduces physical activity. Physical activity helps in improving our mood .
• Decreased social connections- In winters, people are less able to meet their friends and family members due to staying indoors, which leads to a decrease in social engagement. Social connections are very important for our mental health.

Symptoms of SAD

Some common symptoms of SAD are-

• feel depressed
• Decreased energy levels
• sleeping too much or too little
• Changes in appetite
• Weight gain
• irritability
• Difficulty focusing
• Decreased interest in social connections

How to deal with SAD?

There are some measures you can take to deal with SAD-

• Light Therapy- Light therapy uses a special type of light that mimics sunlight. It helps increase the production of serotonin.
• Physical activity – Regular exercise can improve your mood and increase your energy levels.
• Healthy Diet- Eating healthy food will keep your body healthy and also improve your mood.
• Engaging in social activities- Spend time with friends and family members.
• Vitamin D- Vitamin D is obtained from sunlight. There may be a deficiency of vitamin D in winters, so you can take vitamin D supplements after consulting a doctor.
• Yoga and Meditation- Doing yoga and meditation reduces stress and calms the mind.
• Help from a therapist: If you are very troubled by SAD then consult a therapist.