Winter. It’s cold outside, it gets dark early, and seasonal sicknesses like the flu, RSV, and COVID are rampant. Why wouldn’t you be in a bad mood?
If you’re feeling down these days, you’re far from alone. According to an article published by Psychiatry (Edgmont), 14 percent of U.S. adults suffer from the winter blues, while six percent of the U.S. population “is affected by seasonal affective disorder (SAD) in its most marked form.”
“Fewer hours of sunlight during the winter months can lead to a drop in serotonin levels, which often has an impact on our mood,” Hussain Ahmad, MD, tells Best Life. “In those with Seasonal Affective Disorder, this can lead to a drop in melatonin levels, which have a knock-on effect on a wide range of things.” Read more…
