SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) affects many people during the winter months. But how can lack of sunlight and cold temperatures create the depressive episodes known as the ‘winter blues’?
To help us understand this condition CAMH (Centre for Addiction and Mental Health) carried out studies on the different regions of the brain. They discovered, using Positron Emission Tomography (PET) technology, that during the winter months serotonin transporter levels are significantly higher in all regions of the brain.
Amongst other things serotonin regulates your energy levels and mood. So what do serotonin transporters do? They actually remove serotonin from all areas of your brain, which could explain the changes to your mood and energy levels during the winter months. In the coming years researchers at CAMH will be looking at how to overcome this change during winter.
In the meantime there are ways to increase your serotonin levels. Anti-depressants are one route, but in terms of more natural methods spending time outside can be beneficial. We spend a lot of time indoors during the winter, depriving ourselves of the natural serotonin producing daylight available on even a cold and overcast day. A varied and healthy diet, with a regular exercise regime may also be beneficial.
Do you suffer from the winter blues or SAD? How does it impact on you? Have you discovered ways to improve your mood?
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