Sometimes colloquially known as cabin fever or the winter blues, it’s well known that winter time can trigger some heavy feelings in some of us. In extreme cases, a condition known as Seasonal Affective disorder can set in, and though doctor’s are not entirely certain of the exact cause, research reveals that symptoms may have to do with our body’s reaction to light.
Environmental light interacts with the body and brain in a multitude of complex ways, far beyond just illuminating our line of sight - but shorter days means fewer hours of sunlight. Intrinsically Photosensitive Retinal Ganglion Cells, or icRGCs for short, are light reacting neurons in the eye are responsible for managing circadian rhythms to pupil reflexes; less sunlight can mean disorders or even interrupted circadian rhythms, triggering further negative effects.
Natural daylight hitting our skin activates vitamin D synthesis as energy from ultraviolet B rays absorb, helping to manage our immune system, bone health, and mineral absorption. When vitamin D supply is interrupted, it can hugely affect our ability to fight off colds and other illnesses, make us fatigued and lethargic, and even induce feelings of depression, all common symptoms of SAD.
For those among us finding the winter darkness too much to bear, the simplest fix is to make sure your body is getting all the light it needs, but this isn’t always possible in the dead of January. Lucky for us, though, science can help. See this infographic for more detail on Seasonal Affective Disorder.
Infographic Courtesy of Best Health Degrees https://www.besthealthdegrees.com/winter-blues-sad-tech
