Overcoming the Seasonal Change Blues
by Dr. Jennifer Thomas, family medicine and addiction medicine physician with
Morris Hospital & Healthcare Centers
“Is it REALLY only 6 PM?!” I said to my husband last week, one evening after work. “It feels like 10 PM. I could go to sleep right now.”
If you’re like me, the “fall back” of Daylight Saving Time hits me hard every year. Shorter days are here and signs of life, like colorful flowers, green leaves and full gardens, are a thing of the past. We know spring will come again, but for right now, we’re entering “hibernation mode.” We’re gearing up for winter and the colder weather that is to come.
And while this season change is natural, it can really affect our mental health. We know that fresh air and sunshine feel good and help boost our mood, but there is also a physiological reasons for this as well. Exposure to sunlight increases our serotonin levels, a hormone in the body that helps elevate mood. And in contrast, when days are shorter in the winter, we naturally release more melatonin, which can disrupt our sleep cycle.
The good news is, there are many ways to help improve our mood in the winter months. You can start with simple things, like getting some exercise and spending time outdoors when we do have some sunlight during the day.
You might also try light therapy in the winter months. This approach uses a light box to mimic natural sunlight and boosts serotonin levels. Talk to your healthcare provider before starting any new plan to see if this approach would be safe and effective for you to try.
You and your healthcare provider may choose other options to help support your mental health, such as counseling or medication. As always, please bring this or any health concerns to your primary care provider, and we will work with you to create a plan to help you feel better.
And remember- spring will always come again! And until then, lean in to some of those winter holiday activities to help boost the mood! Take care!
Dr. Jennifer Thomas, MD, FASAM, is a family medicine and addiction medicine physician with Morris Hospital & Healthcare Centers. To learn more about Morris Hospital’s Integrated Behavioral Health program, visit us at https://www.morrishospital.org/services/integrated-care-program/.
