Winter Blues

The Christmas season is a season of cold winds and snowfall and brings with it celebrations, carols, happiness, gifts and new hopes. However, the same winter winds can prove to be depressing and stressful for some individuals and can take away all the merriment from their lives. Winter blues is a new concept being studied by scientists in the medical world. Also known as ‘winter depression’ or ‘seasonal affective disorder’ winter blues is a recurring form of depression that hits the person around the same time each year. It is a mood disorder in which people who remains healthy throughout the year, experience depressive symptoms only during the winter season or less frequently in summer or any other part of the year. It is not a unique mental disorder, but a newly discovered form of acute depression that can have damaging effects on the person suffering from it. If you are inquisitive to learn more about winter blues, scroll down to read in detail about the symptoms and causes and simple ways to fight off this disorder.

Symptoms And Causes Of Winter Blues 

Symptoms Of Winter Blues

• A sleep disorder is the most common of all symptoms of seasonal affective disorder. You will find yourself getting tired quite often and getting into the habit of afternoon naps. Feeling lethargic, lack of energy and extra efforts in doing the simplest of things are clear indications of winter blues.
• If you have suddenly started feeling pain in your joints, and have started experiencing stomach problems, it might be indication of the disorder. If you are suffering from winter blues, you will tend to gain weight and you will also be vulnerable to infections and viruses.
• Depression is another clear symptom in a person suffering from winter blues. If you find yourself being constantly sad, irritable and fussy, then you might be suffering from this disorder. A person suffering from winter blues starts withdrawing away from friends and family and also starts developing the feeling of guilt, anxiety and hopelessness.
• Behavioral problems are common symptoms of winter blues in which the person won’t be able to do anything. Concentration becomes a problem and the appetite of that person increases. The individual starts craving for more and more carbohydrates and loses interest in sex as well.

Causes Of Winter Blues

• The exact causes of this disorder are yet to be determined as this is a relatively new medical condition. Nevertheless, there have been some attempts made to pen down the possible causes of this seasonal affective disorder.
• Lack of sunlight appears to be a crucial factor leading to this disorder. Experts are of the opinion that the pineal gland in the brain secretes a sleep related hormone called ‘melatonin’ due to increased darkness during the winter season. This hormone might cause symptoms of depression in a person.
• Disturbance of the body’s natural biological clock is also considered to be one of the determining factors by some medical scientists. This disturbance in the biological cycle of a person can also be linked to the problem of regulation of ‘serotonin neurotransmitters’ in the brain.

• Make it a point to expose yourself to sunlight more often. Wake up early and go out in the open to let the first rays of sun to touch your skin. Try walking out for a while during your lunch breaks at work. Sunlight is essential to turn your biological clock to the right direction.
• Make it a point to turn on your bedroom lights as soon as you wake up in the morning. The winter season can make you sleep longer because you don’t feel like getting out of your bed. Therefore, it is advisable to put on your lights the moment your alarm goes off.
• Several researches have proven the fact that exercises work as antidepressants thereby managing mood. Getting into an exercise routine is a great start in dealing with winter blues and living a healthier life. Exercising increases circulation and keeps your body and mind fresh through oxygenation, thereby relieving you from stress.
• Your eating habits also play a role in saving you from the blues. A well-balanced diet will definitely boost up your mood and will provide you the energy to stay focused and active even during the gloomy winter days. Avoid food that are high in sugar or fat and also limit your alcohol consumption in order to avoid putting on weight during winters. Consume more proteins, vegetables, fruits and complex carbohydrates. Also, don’t forget to add vitamin D and amino acids to your diet and to avoid excess of salt, caffeine and processed foods.
• The simplest thing that you can do in order to fight back the symptoms of winter blues is to get good sleep. Getting quality sleep is essential for proper hormonal balance as well as mental sharpness during the day. Therefore, follow a proper schedule to help yourself fight back winter blues.