As the days get shorter and colder, a lot of students might not be feeling like themselves. Unmotivated, unhappy, and overall feeling very sluggish. If this is you, there might be a scientific explanation as to why you’re feeling this way.

The illness associated with the winter blues is called Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). This is a diagnosed mental illness, but many people feel the same symptoms in a much less severe manner, which are the winter blues. Symptoms include tiredness, low energy, social withdrawal, and difficulty concentrating. People with the winter blues might also lose interest in hobbies that they usually enjoy, and feel the need to sleep all the time. Scientists don’t know the exact reason why some people feel this way during the winter months, but there are some theories. 

When winter rolls around, it causes a chemical imbalance in our bodies. This is because the days are getting shorter, and people tend to stay inside their homes a lot more, meaning our bodies are not taking in a lot of sunlight. This causes a lack of vitamin d and throws off our circadian rhythm, meaning our bodies are making an excess amount of melatonin which then leads to us being sleepy.

Staying in our homes because of the cold also makes us feel extremely isolated, because we are spending our time away from friends and loved ones. This can increase feelings of anxiety and sadness. 

Though there is nothing that can easily make these feelings go away, there are methods to alleviate the symptoms. Spending time with friends and family can make you feel less alone. Light therapy is also an option. This can be done with a sun lamp, which mimics the actions of the sun. Psychologically, our brains see this light as the actual sun, which can put our circadian rhythm back on track, making us less tired and unmotivated.  

Along with that, it is important that we keep up with healthy sleeping, eating, and daily activity, even when we don’t feel like doing it. 

Though we have to usually wait out the feeling of winter blues until the spring and summer, there are ways to alleviate the symptoms. However, if you have suicidal thoughts and feelings of hopelessness in these times, it is necessary that you get the help you need. You can call the suicide and crisis hotline at 988. 

Next time you’re feeling some sadness in the wintertime, try and do the little things that spark that joy back into our lives!