The Science Behind the ‘Winter Blues’

While it may not officially be winter just yet, it certainly already feels like it! Despite all the beautiful things that accompany this time of year, as we move into the darker, colder months, we wanted to take a moment to talk about Season Affective Disorder (SAD). Here’s five things to know:

1️⃣ SAD is more common than many realize.
About 5% of U.S. adults experience Seasonal Affective Disorder every year, and symptoms often last for 40% of the year. Women are diagnosed at higher rates than men.

🔗 Source: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/seasonal-affective-disorder

2️⃣ Reduced sunlight has real biological effects.
Shorter days can disrupt circadian rhythms and decrease serotonin levels, both of which play a role in mood, energy, and sleep.

🔗 Source: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/seasonal-affective-disorder

3️⃣ Students who move from sunny or mild-climate hometowns to places with strong seasons may be more at risk.

A study found that undergraduates from non-seasonal hometowns experienced significantly larger increases in seasonal-depression symptoms during winter than peers from seasonal climates—suggesting that adjusting from low-seasonality to high-seasonality environments can raise vulnerability to SAD.

🔗 Source: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8646863/

4️⃣ SAD impacts daily life—and work.
Individuals with SAD frequently report lower motivation, reduced concentration, changes in appetite, and greater fatigue. These symptoms can affect school, employment, and relationships, especially during winter’s peak.

🔗 Source: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/seasonal-affective-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20364651

5️⃣ Treatment and support make a measurable difference.
Light therapy, talk therapy, vitamin D evaluation, increased outdoor time, and community support have all been shown to reduce symptoms. Early recognition and culturally-responsive care improve outcomes significantly.

🔗 Source: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/seasonal-affective-disorder

WAVES is sending love and warmth to everyone out there struggling a little extra during the winter months. We see you💜