Have you heard of seasonal depression? Do you feel that when we change the seasons your mood changes or is affected in some way? Well yes, light and climatic and/or environmental conditions affect us.
We are faced with a very interesting topic on which many people are looking for information. Well, there are several issues to address. Although the specific causes of variations in mood depending on the different seasons of the year are unknown, numerous researchers agree that Sunlight plays a very important role in hormonal changes and neurotransmitters
Mood changes may be related to the brain’s response to decreased light and the relationship this has with some essential hormones in the regulation of sleep-wake cycles, energy and mood, such as melatonin and serotonin. What are both substances responsible for?
Melatonin
Melatonin is a hormone that we secrete naturally, and Its main function is to regulate sleep and wake cycles Normally, when evening falls and, therefore, the intensity of light, melatonin secretion increases, decreasing when the sun rises in the morning.
Serotonin
Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that It is responsible, among other things, for regulating our mood along with other substances. Low levels of serotonin are related to symptoms derived from depression, such as sadness, hopelessness, melancholy, apathy, irritability, etc. What could cause low serotonin levels?
Scientists relate serotonin levels to exposure to sunlight, so, explained in a simple way, lack of light = low levels of serotonin, and, therefore, probable appearance of depressive symptoms. On the contrary, the more sunlight we are exposed to, the more our serotonin levels will increase, and as a consequence we will feel more energetic, lively and euphoric.
Can we square this explanation with the seasons of the year?
Of course. During the fall and winter months, The hours of light decrease and, therefore, being less exposed, our serotonin levels are reduced tending to be sadder or more irritated.
On the other hand, during the spring and summer months when the days are longer, the levels of this substance increase and we feel better. If during the autumn and winter months, we not only take into account the consequences of low levels of serotonin on our mood, but we also add day-to-day problems, problems from the past or various concerns, weakness in our immune system, anxiety and/or migraines, we have the perfect combination to feel bad.
There are numerous factors that can influence our mood, but it is clear that the influence of the climate on our body causes consequences of one type or another. It is also necessary to say that not everyone notices them, but a vast majority of the population could say they do.
What can we say about times of the year like spring and summer?
As well also There are certain people who do not have a particularly good time during these months In spring there is what is known as “Spring Asthenia”, and it is defined as the feeling of tiredness, lack of motivation and alterations in mood that many people suffer.
Among its causes, we can find the appearance of allergies, changes in schedule and routines that cause a decrease in the secretion of endorphins, which are the hormones of well-being. On the other hand, in the summer months, and in certain places, extreme heat produces fatigue, exhaustion… which can lead us to feel more tired and weaker.
It is advisable to have an annual medical check-up to rule out that any of these physical symptoms, such as exhaustion or tiredness, may be caused by any organic pathology.
