Sunshine chases blues away, but warmth helps

Winter isn’t letting us off the hook that easily this year, with colder than normal temperatures and grey, rainy days delaying the arrival of spring.

So what, if any, effect do these weather swings have on seasonal depression?

Psychiatrist Dr. Reba Peoples notes that seasonal affective disorder, or SAD, is rooted not in temperature, but in a lack of natural sunlight. In the winter, when days are shorter, we receive less sunlight. This is what can trigger sadness associated with the disorder. Symptoms include sleepiness or finding it harder to carry out daily tasks. Appetites can change.

In its milder form, SAD can affect up to 20 per cent of people, said Leonard Jason, a professor of clinical psychology at DePaul University.

It’s possible that warmer weather can alleviate seasonal depression earlier — warmer days might mean more sunlight, for example. And the days are getting longer. This past weekend, when daylight saving time kicked in, we started to enjoy even more light at night.

Warmer days also allow people to get outside more, and that alfresco activity and accompanying exercise can boost moods, Jason said.