Seasonal Mood Changes
Research has reported people’s seasonal changes throughout the year, which are changes in one’s mood, energy level, sleep length, appetite, food preference or one’s desire to socialize as the seasons change yearly. Multiple studies have shown that most people feel worst during the fall and winter months. For example, people have the worst mood scores during the months of August to November; and these scores are particularly low in October and November. In contrast, most people have “best” moods in spring and summer months. In another study of Montgomery County (MD) populations, 92% of the subjects reported seasonal changes. The participants have “winter pattern”—eating more, gaining weight, sleeping more—in January and February, while the participants show a “summer pattern”—eating less, losing weight, sleeping less—in July and August. Researchers of this study concluded that a large percentage of the population experience seasonal mood changes.
Even though a great number of people generally experience mood changes throughout the year, there are differences in the intensity of these changes due to geographical differences. In Japan, people who live in the northern areas reported more seasonal changes. Similar findings were also reported in Norway. In the United States, a study was conducted with populations of four cities in four different latitudes: Nashua (NH), New York (NY), Montgomery County (MD), and Saratosa (FL). Of all the participants, 40% felt worst during winter months. People in New York reported most changes in mood, while people in Saratosa reported the least changes. People in New York and Nashua noticed more changes in weight than did people in Montgomery County, and people in Saratosa noticed the least weight variation.
Some studies looking into brain activity have examined the cause of these seasonal changes. It has been observed that bipolar patients tend to have hypomanic or manic episodes in the spring, usually March, evidencing that seasonal changes impact mood. Sunlight plays a role in causing these changes. The production of serotonin, which is a hormone involved in the regulation of mood, appetite and sleep, is lowest in the winter, as serotonin production partly depends on the duration of bright sunlight. Changes in exposure to duration of sunlight can decrease depressive symptoms. A great way to mimic that light during the darker months is the “light box” or a light therapy device with 10000 lux light, start using it early October for 20 minutes every morning right after when you wake up. I recommend people to create a grounding routine out of it and listen to meditation or positive affirmations for that time (you need to keep your eyes closed anyway) or even an audiobook, in order to start the day calm and collected while working towards preventing negative mood changes in the winter.
