How Shifting Seasons Affect Our Mood: Embracing the Changing Weather

Image retrieved from: Tempest Earth. (n.d.). Does the weather affect your mood? [Image]. Tempest Earth. Retrieved March 5, 2025, from https://tempest.earth/resources/does-the-weather-affect-your-mood/

Seasons and the personal meanings we associate with them can significantly impact our mood and emotions, as each season often evokes different feelings and memories within us. For some, the bright, warm days of summer bring feelings of joy, energy, and liveliness, while others may find a sense of comfort, nostalgia, and reflection in the cooler, darker months of fall and winter. These seasonal shifts can influence everything from our daily routines to our mood and emotions. However, approximately 1-2% of the population is affected by Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), which is a type of major depression, mania, or hypomania that emerges seasonally, such as in the winter or summer (Jurgaitytė et. al, 2020). Research on Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) shows that people's moods tend to change with the seasons, with depression symptoms usually being worse in winter (Behnke et. al, 2021). However, it is important to recognize that a lesser-known spring/summer-type Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), linked to mood changes caused by allergens like pollen, triggers immune responses that affect brain functions and contribute to depression (Jurgaitytė et al., 2020). 

There are three commonly used treatment approaches for SAD: phototherapy, pharmacology, and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Phototherapy (also known as bright light therapy, or BLT), helps alleviate most SAD symptoms by simulating increased light exposure, though it doesn’t directly address neurotransmitter imbalances (except serotonin, which is affected by light) (Jurgaitytė et. al, 2020). A pharmacological approach typically includes a prescription antidepressant, and is often used in conjunction with BLT in more severe cases of SAD (Jurgaitytė et. al, 2020). Counseling, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for SAD (CBT-SAD), can also be effective in treating SAD by helping patients change their thoughts about stress-inducing problems (Jurgaitytė et. al, 2020).

The most effective way to manage seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is by creating a personalized plan, whether on your own or in collaboration with your physician or therapist, and committing to it. It is also important to take care of yourself by getting enough sleep, staying active, and making healthy food choices while avoiding alcohol or drugs. Practicing stress management techniques like yoga or meditation, and making an effort to socialize for support, are also effective ways to manage the symptoms of SAD (Mayo Clinic, n.d). If possible, consider a trip to a sunny destination in the winter or a cooler spot if you have summer-type SAD. By taking proactive steps and seeking support when needed, you can effectively manage the symptoms of SAD and improve your overall well-being throughout the year.

References:

Behnke, M., Overbye, H., Pietruch, M., & Kaczmarek, L. D. (2021). How seasons, weather, and 

part of day influence baseline affective valence in laboratory research participants? PLoS ONE, 16(8), 1–14. https://doi-org.ezproxy.uta.edu/10.1371/journal.pone.0256430

Jurgaitytė, V., Dijokas, J., Rimkevičiūtė, P., & Khawaja, N. (2020). Risk Factors and Treatment 

Approaches to Seasonal Affective Disorder: A Review. Neurologijos Seminarai, 24(1), 26–34. https://doi-org.ezproxy.uta.edu/10.29014/ns.2020.03

Mayo Clinic. (n.d.). Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) - Diagnosis and treatment. Mayo Clinic. 

Retrieved March 5, 2025, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/seasonal-affective-disorder/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20364722