Seasons and their influence on mood

Have you heard of seasonal depression? Do you feel that when we change seasons your mood changes or is affected in some way? Well yes, light and weather and/or environmental conditions affect us.

We are facing a very interesting topic on which many people seek information. Well, there are several issues to address. Although the specific causes of the variations in mood depending on the different seasons of the year are unknown, many researchers agree that sunlight plays a very important role in hormonal changes and neurotransmitters.

• Related article: "The 6 types of mood disorders"

the biological clock

Mood changes may be related to the brain's response to dimming 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 do both substances do?

Melatonin

The melatonin It 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

The serotonin is a neurotransmitter It is responsible, among other things, for regulating our mood along with other substances. Low serotonin levels are related to symptoms derived from the Depression, such as sadness, hopelessness, melancholy, apathy, irritability, etc. What could cause low serotonin levels?

Scientists relate serotonin levels to exposure to sunlight, therefore, explained in one In a simple way, in the absence of light = low levels of serotonin, and, therefore, probable appearance of symptoms depressive. 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, animated and euphoric.

Can we square this explanation with the seasons of the year?

Of course. During the fall and winter months, daylight hours decrease and, therefore, being less exposed, our serotonin levels are reduced, tending to be more sad or 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 serotonin levels on our mood, but 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 evil.

There are numerous factors that can influence our state of mind, but it is clear that the influence of the weather on our body causes consequences of one kind or another. It is also necessary to say that not everyone notices them, but a vast majority of the population could say that 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 in 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 mood swings that many people suffer.

Among its causes, we can find the appearance of allergies, the change of schedules and routines that cause a decrease in the secretion of endorphins, which are the well-being hormones. On the other hand, in the summer months, and in certain places, the 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 none of these physical symptoms, such as exhaustion or tiredness, may be caused by any organic pathology.