Winter weather, such as darkness, clouds, and cold weather, causes many people to suffer from what is known as winter depression. What are its symptoms? How can it be confronted?
To answer these questions, German psychosomatic and psychotherapist Stephen Hafner explained that winter depression falls within what is known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), noting that its symptoms are:
- – Strong need for sleep (hypersomnia).
- – Strong desire to eat sweets and carbohydrates.
- – Lethargy and loss of motivation.
- – Mood swings and increased irritability.
- – Social isolation and lack of interest in recreational activities.
Measures to combat winter depression
To combat winter depression, Haffner recommends taking the following measures:
- daylight: Spending time outdoors regularly, especially in broad daylight, improves mood, as natural light has positive effects on biorhythms and feelings of good psychological state.
Exposure to sunlight helps the body produce vitamin D, which is not only important for the health of bones, muscles, and the immune system, but also affects transmitter substances such as dopamine and serotonin in the brain, which work to regulate activity, mood, and psychological state.
- Sports: Exercise reduces feelings of stress, and at the same time promotes the release of happy hormones.
- Healthy sleep rhythm: Long darkness outside causes the body to release more of the sleep hormone melatonin, knowing that sleeping for a long period of time can promote depression. Therefore, a healthy sleep rhythm should be followed, as sleep should not exceed 8 hours.
- Social media: Social communication and joint activities represent the basis of a healthy psychological state. Therefore, you should meet friends and acquaintances, go to the movies or cafes, or exchange social visits.
Hafner pointed out that the symptoms of winter depression often do not go away on their own by the spring, stressing the need to consult a psychiatrist if the symptoms persist even after the end of the winter, as they may then indicate real depression.