by: Robert Regler
A couple of years ago I wrote an article about the Wintertime and how it can lead to Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Typically, in the Winter, people are exposed to less sunlight and that leads to less serotonin being released and an increase in melatonin in the body. With Spring right around the corner, it would seem that we are out in the clear, however SAD is something that is not exclusive to the Winter. While the symptoms may change, SAD is something that can occur even in the warmer months and can impact almost everybody.
SAD in the wintertime is typically associated with weight gain, low energy levels, and oversleeping. SAD in the Springtime brings on another set of problems. Rather than having problems associated with lower energy levels, the symptoms commonly seen in the Spring stem from the change in season and time. They can include insomnia, weight loss, and anxiety. Problems with insomnia stem from a biological perspective. Your body in the Winter creates more melatonin due to the limited window you can be exposed to the Sun. Melatonin is associated with tiredness, which leads to the ability to sleep easier. In the Spring, the window for Sun exposure is much greater due to the effects of daylight savings time and the Earth changing positions around the Sun. Because your body has adapted to the previous increase in melatonin, it will have a more difficult time falling asleep at night when it is not as readily available. Ultimately for some, this can lead to a difficulty falling asleep while their body adapts to this chemical shift.
Weight loss is something that if done right can be a beneficial and healthy thing. However, the type of weight loss stemming from SAD is a different story. When Springtime hits, you will probably realize that Summer is right around the corner. Summertime typically involves spending more time outside and around people. A very popular Summer activity is going to the beach. A lot of people want to get their bodies Summer ready, however some do this in an unhealthy manner. This is where the second aspect of Spring SAD comes into play. In an attempt to look “good” for the Summer, some people will have a decreased appetite. This decrease in appetite can lead to weight loss, but in an unhealthy way. This can deprive the body of nutrients and lead to more problems down the road.
The final thing Spring SAD does is increases levels of anxiety. With the warmer weather ushering in, more and more people will be spending time outdoors and enjoying fun activities. For those who are unable to partake in those activities right as the temperature changes might feel, feelings of unease. The perception might be that everyone is out enjoying their lives except for themselves and this might overwhelm them. This is definitely a case-by-case basis, however in the age of social media where people where people can readily see what others are doing exposure to these thoughts are bound to happen.
Even though SAD is a real and serious condition, Spring SAD typically goes away around mid-April. This is because your body will have time to re-adjust to the season and regulate itself. A lot of the problems stemming from SAD have to do with your body’s exposure to sunlight. Once your body is able to regulate, it should get back to normal within about month. Other things you can do to conquer SAD are exercising and focusing on eating healthy. If you are interested more on this topic or anything similar, the Southwest Council provides free presentations for parents, community members, and schools. If you are interested in having a presentation, please feel free to reach out at (856) 794-1011 or visit us online at www.southwestcouncil.org.
Resources:
https://www.southuniversity.edu/news-and-blogs/2016/08/spring-can-bring-showers-of-depression-35284
