For many, autumn's darkening days bring more than the usual urge to break out the woolly jumpers and crank up the central heating. As the evenings close in and the mornings grow murky, a heavy sense of sadness can settle in.
The link between seasons, mood, and vitality has long been observed, even if it wasn't formally recognised by psychiatrists until the 1980s. Ancient Chinese text, the Yellow Emperor's Classic of Medicine, described how to adapt to the changing seasons back in the 3rd century BC. Its advice remains eerily relevant today: "retire early and get up with the sunrise", keeping one's desires and mental activity quiet and subdued.
Today, scientists are rediscovering just how closely tuned our biology is to the seasons. According to Dr Cathy Wyse, a chancellor's research fellow at the University of Edinburgh, this understanding has improved significantly over the past decade. The key breakthrough was realising that seasonal changes in human mood are probably an integral part of our physiology - not just a result of external factors.
Large-scale studies like the UK Biobank have made it possible to track seasonal patterns across hundreds of thousands of people over many years, something previously impossible. These findings suggest that even without clinical depression, many people experience a milder seasonal dip in mood, known as subsyndromal Sad or "the winter blues". One in five people are affected by this phenomenon, although only 2% will go on to develop full-blown Seasonal Affective Disorder.
Researchers have discovered fluctuations in the expression of thousands of genes and changes in blood composition across the year. Dr Wyse recently presented a study using four years' worth of UK Biobank sleep data from half a million people, which found that in winter, people tended to sleep longer and were more likely to experience sleeplessness.
So what's driving these seasonal changes? The answer lies in light - or rather, the lack thereof. Light regulates our internal body clock, influencing hormone release, alertness, and mood. When daylight is scarce, especially combined with too much artificial light at night, this rhythm can become disrupted.
Yet, while light therapy remains the gold standard for treating Seasonal Affective Disorder, cognitive behavioural therapy tailored to this condition can be just as effective. By reframing one's relationship with winter, rather than simply managing symptoms, people can reclaim some joy from the darker months.
So how can you beat the winter blues? Try getting outside as early as possible on grey days, or sit in front of a light box emitting around 10,000 lux - roughly equivalent to outdoor light on an overcast summer's day. Check your sleep habits and get outside for at least an hour a day, ideally combining it with something enjoyable. Plan winter pleasures, such as cosy rituals or social activities, and know when to seek help if symptoms persist.
The link between seasons, mood, and vitality has long been observed, even if it wasn't formally recognised by psychiatrists until the 1980s. Ancient Chinese text, the Yellow Emperor's Classic of Medicine, described how to adapt to the changing seasons back in the 3rd century BC. Its advice remains eerily relevant today: "retire early and get up with the sunrise", keeping one's desires and mental activity quiet and subdued.
Today, scientists are rediscovering just how closely tuned our biology is to the seasons. According to Dr Cathy Wyse, a chancellor's research fellow at the University of Edinburgh, this understanding has improved significantly over the past decade. The key breakthrough was realising that seasonal changes in human mood are probably an integral part of our physiology - not just a result of external factors.
Large-scale studies like the UK Biobank have made it possible to track seasonal patterns across hundreds of thousands of people over many years, something previously impossible. These findings suggest that even without clinical depression, many people experience a milder seasonal dip in mood, known as subsyndromal Sad or "the winter blues". One in five people are affected by this phenomenon, although only 2% will go on to develop full-blown Seasonal Affective Disorder.
Researchers have discovered fluctuations in the expression of thousands of genes and changes in blood composition across the year. Dr Wyse recently presented a study using four years' worth of UK Biobank sleep data from half a million people, which found that in winter, people tended to sleep longer and were more likely to experience sleeplessness.
So what's driving these seasonal changes? The answer lies in light - or rather, the lack thereof. Light regulates our internal body clock, influencing hormone release, alertness, and mood. When daylight is scarce, especially combined with too much artificial light at night, this rhythm can become disrupted.
Yet, while light therapy remains the gold standard for treating Seasonal Affective Disorder, cognitive behavioural therapy tailored to this condition can be just as effective. By reframing one's relationship with winter, rather than simply managing symptoms, people can reclaim some joy from the darker months.
So how can you beat the winter blues? Try getting outside as early as possible on grey days, or sit in front of a light box emitting around 10,000 lux - roughly equivalent to outdoor light on an overcast summer's day. Check your sleep habits and get outside for at least an hour a day, ideally combining it with something enjoyable. Plan winter pleasures, such as cosy rituals or social activities, and know when to seek help if symptoms persist.
... i think people overcomplicate things sometimes. just take a walk outside early in the morning, feel the air, listen to birds, that's it 
. doesn't have to be some intense therapy or ritual. just be present with nature, and your mood'll follow 
I mean, who hasn't felt meh in the dark winter months? It's crazy how our bodies are literally tied to the seasons 
Like, we're meant to be outside soaking up those rays, not cooped up with a perpetual case of the blues 
But it's cool that cognitive behavioural therapy is also on the table 
I mean, reframing your relationship with winter is all about finding joy in the little things, right? Cozy rituals, social activities... that sounds like a plan to me 
. And it's not just that, thousands of genes are affected by the lack of light, which can cause sleep disorders too 
. Light therapy might help, but let's be real, it's not like we'll all magically adapt to the changing seasons or anything... and cognitive behavioural therapy is just a fancy way of saying "try to cope with your feelings" 
But seriously, politicians should be paying attention to this. I mean, if we can figure out how to harness the power of sunlight to improve our mental health, shouldn't we be investing in infrastructure that makes it easier for people to get outside and soak up some rays? Like, have you seen the state of our urban planning lately? It's like they're trying to trap us inside all day. We need more green spaces, less concrete! 
And what about light therapy? Shouldn't we be making that more accessible to everyone? I mean, it's not like it's a expensive or anything... but then again, is our mental health worth the investment? That's the real question... 
u should def check out them light therapy boxes too!! i got one & its so worth it!!! 
I think the way we perceive our emotions is super connected to the environment around us 
. Like, just think about how dark & cold it gets during autumn... it's no wonder a lot of people feel down 
. I mean, I'm not saying it's because of some mysterious curse, but more like our bodies are literally telling us something - 'hey, it's winter outside, let's slow down' 
.
, I think it's all about finding small joys in life 
... whatever gets you through the dark days 
.
And let's be real, sometimes it's just about adapting to the way we're wired as humans.
It's not like we can just switch off our bodies' natural rhythms or anything! 
Let's try to be more understanding and supportive of each other during these darker months.
I mean, think about it... we've always known that seasons can affect our moods, but now scientists are finally proving it scientifically 
! It's not just about us being sad in winter, it's actually our bodies responding to the lack of sunlight 
. So yeah, getting outside, taking naps, and having a light therapy session can be game changers 
I feel like people are forgetting how to live with the seasons you know? We're always talking about productivity and motivation but what about just embracing the quiet? 