SEATTLE — It's something people in the northwest know all too well: feeling some wintertime blues. Clinically, it's called seasonal affective disorder, often referred to as SAD, for short.
The condition can emerge from a lack of serotonin production in the brain; which is the chemical that affects our mood.
"So there are tendencies that people notice that they might feel more fatigue, more worn down, a little more lethargic in the winter months due to the lower levels of daylight," said Darcy Newby, a licensed therapist at the Overlake Specialty School.
Less sun means less serotonin production, which can lead to feelings of depression, irritability, and a lack of energy. Conversely, this could lead to more melatonin production, which increases sleepiness. So people might feel the need to sleep in, during winter months. But there are some remedies to consider.
Newby advises going outside for at least 15 minutes a day, rain or shine. Sunlight is still key here. Because there's less of it right now, our bodies produce less vitamin D, which promotes serotonin production.
"I do know in this region it is really critical to make sure you are having adequate levels of vitamin D and even to increase that during the darker, longer winter months. that's really key," Newby said.
Newby adds, that exposure to a bright light also known as "sad lamps" can help boost serotonin levels.
Research shows exposure to light at 10,000 lux for half an hour, 7 days a week, can improve SAD symptoms.
An important step in all this is recognizing the symptoms. If your feelings of depression and anxiety don't go away despite remedies, Newby advises talking to your doctor.