Darker and colder weather is now upon us in full force here in the Boston area. At Boston Neurobehavioral Associates, our team of psychiatry and psychology specialists understands the negative effects that weather changes can have on your mood.
We offer empathetic, patient-focused telehealth services throughout Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Illinois to help you get the support you need, when you need it.
Recent studies show that about 4 in 10 Americans struggle with a declining mood in the wintertime, so you’re definitely not alone.
In fact, we often get new patients at this time of year, and the weather frequently plays a role in their struggles. So, we decided that today’s blog should focus on three of the ways that colder and darker weather can cause unwelcome changes in your mood.
Vitamin D helps you make serotonin, a neurotransmitter that’s known as a “feel-good” brain chemical. The sun is the main source of vitamin D, although you can get it from foods and supplements as well.
So, in the wintertime, with the days being so much shorter and darker, you get a lot less vitamin D than your body’s accustomed to. This can have a direct impact on your mood, leading to a generally “blue” feeling, increased irritability, or depression.
Exercise and mental health are closely intertwined. One study showed that people who exercise regularly experience a 40% drop in their number of poor mental health days (days with significant depression, anxiety, or other struggles).
This happens because exercise causes the release of serotonin, which provides a mood boost, and endorphins, which provide stress relief and can also ease pain.
While indoor exercise is always an option, many of us prefer to get our exercise through walking, jogging, hiking, or other ways of enjoying the great outdoors.
When the weather turns colder and the days grow darker, it’s harder to get out there and get the exercise you need. This can, unfortunately, cause a significant decline in mood.
Freezing temperatures can cause your “hibernation” instincts to kick in. It’s common to experience increased melatonin production in the winter.
Melatonin regulates your sleep, so it’s not unusual to feel tired, lethargic, or generally low-energy during that time. All of this can contribute to low mood and depression when the weather is especially cold.
If you experience low mood consistently during the winter, you might have a condition called seasonal affective disorder (SAD), a type of depression. Just like other types of depression, SAD is highly treatable — so there’s no reason to struggle through another holiday season without help.
We offer a wide range of treatment options, including counseling, medication management, and other personalized mental health care through our convenient telehealth visits. If you need help this winter, we’re here for you. Call the nearest office, or contact us online today.
