Since it has been such a rainy and cool Spring in Colorado, I was curious whether others felt their emotions and general mood was being affected. We usually have many days of sun for relief, even in Winter. Having grown up in a sunny country for at least half my life, I do notice that my mood gets more flat and irritable when there is a week of grey skies…then I wonder about the effects of climate change and how whole populations will deal with changing conditions.
So it is one issue to react to a week of cold and grey; however, some folks find their emotions are affected seasonally, and very consistently over years. If you or a loved one seems to get “blah”, melancholy, irritable or weepy in a particular transition seasonally, you may have SAD – Seasonal Affective Disorder.
While it is not known for sure how the physiology of humans gets affected, there are statistics that show in countries with colder greyer weather much of the year, alcoholism is rampant- a way to self medicate the blues? But there are better ways! Some studies say that Vitamin D plays a role in producing Serotonin and Dopamine, the chemicals that lift our mood. Sunlight produces Vitamin D through our skin; it is essential that we get sunlight, and this appears to lift our mood. As we age, we also have less ability to make Vitamin D. The Department of Medicine at the Baltimore Hospital in Maryland did a small study which indicated that subjects who received 100.000 IUs of Vitamin D had a significant improvement in their Depression scale scores, compared to Phototherapy (Broad Spectrum Light Therapy).
However there is not enough research to rule out Phototherapy. Getting a good quality sun lamp for the cloudy times may help (it could cost a couple of hundred dollars, but that’s well worth trying for depressive symptoms). From a behavioral therapy point of view, there are ways of “coping ahead” for grey days. Making sure you walk outside and staying active physically can build your endorphins. Subsiding in front of the TV set for hours is not good, especially if you watch dramatic news which emphasizes negativity. Make sure you connect with friends, cuddle your pets and eat healthy warming foods. Having squash soups, root veggies like potatoes, and beets, particularly in Winter, can help. Keeping your core temperature stable and dressing protectively especially if prone to colds or sinusitis, is essential.
As the weather patterns change, and the climate seems to become more turbulent, developing emotional resilience is essential. I can help you develop ways to protect against stress in general.
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