February bitter cold, short days, wind, no colours around, people dressed in dark…
For sensitive people, this can be a cause for an episode of seasonal depression. Such episode can last from several weeks to even several months.
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) can be especially hard on us in February, when there is no snow and it is drab, cold, dark and grey.
Some of us are meteopaths, that is, they are hypersensitive to changes in the weather. Although it is a fairly common condition, it is not classified as a disease entity. It is classified as “recurrent depressive disorder.” It is said that there are no reliable studies that clearly confirm the relationship between weather and well-being.
However, it has been observed, for example, that during foehn winds (warm and dry wind blowing from the mountains into the valleys), depression intensify, the number of suicides increases, the number of fights, quarrels increases, sexual excitement increases.
Symptoms of depression interfere with emotional, cognitive and physiological functioning of a person and are very burdensome. Some of the most severe are mood swings and lack of energy. Our endorphins, serotonin and dopamine in the brain fall and yet those hormones are responsible for our well-being. On the other hand, we produce more melatonin, which causes more sleepiness and mood drops.
In addition to hormonal changes, high atmospheric pressure also negatively affects our well-being, because blood pressure increases, as well as blood clotting. Then we can experience headaches and problems with the circulatory system. We are irritable, sleepy and even more tired.
Not everyone is susceptible to weather changes. However, if you are one of those people who are experiencing depression or weather-related mood swings, there are many ways to improve your mood and function. These can be relaxation techniques, organizing small pleasures during the day, reducing stress, changing diet or activity, etc. However, if the problem is deeper and you suspect that depression is behind your lack of energy and motivation, it is worth talking to a professional.
It is definitely beneficial considering what is behind the deterioration of well-being. Finding the real, emotional causes of difficulties will allow you to deal with them.
However, if you have difficulty finding your own way to deal with low mood, or you are afraid that you are experiencing a depressive episode, then I encourage you to use my help.
I’m here to help you.