Now that all of the celebrating has come to an end, it’s time to brace ourselves for a somewhat bitter winter ahead. With no holidays in sight until Valentine’s Day, it’s understandable to be going through a bit of festive withdrawal. Dips in mood are relatively commonplace at this time of year, but sometimes a case of the blues can graduate to something more severe and detrimental to brain health. Recently, a psychiatrist from Loyola University Medical Center spoke on the issue of “Blue Monday” and the prevalence of depression around this time.
In a press release from ScienceDaily, Dr. Angelos Halaris noted that the holiday drop-off combined with shorter, overcast days and a particularly harsh winter essentially create the perfect storm for depressed behavioral conditions. People who routinely experience seasonal affective disorder (SAD) during the winter months may be especially prone to depression around now.
“SAD is characterized by depression, exhaustion and lack of interest in people and regular activities,” said Halaris. “With less exposure to light in the winter months, many people become depressed. Those susceptible to SAD are affected even more so.”
So what can be done to keep your spirits up at this time of year? First, recognizing that there are other elements at play may be a big help. Once you realize that your mood is genuinely being affected by the weather and the progression of the sun across the sky, it can be easier to withdraw from your doldrums and see them more objectively.
Seeking out foods and nutritional supplements with potentially mood-boosting abilities may also help. Dr. Andrew Weil, an established nutrition expert, has noted that curcumin – the bioactive ingredient in turmeric – has shown some promise in this area. Omega-3 fatty acids have also been linked to enhanced brain health and general nutrition for the mind.
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