Find Your Sunny Spot on Campus

The shorter days, colder weather and reduced hours of sunlight can leave anyone feeling melancholy, irritable, or tired during these winter months. To combat these feelings, commonly known as “winter blues,” studies have found that increasing light exposure is associated with higher levels of the hormone serotonin.

For our bodies to function, exposure to light is imperative to help regulate our serotonin and melatonin levels. When the sun sets, the pineal gland signals the production of melatonin to increase, which in turn signals to the body that it is time to sleep; in the morning when sunlight enters the eye, the pineal gland signals the production of serotonin to increase and melatonin to decrease.

Serotonin helps keep us awake, elevates our mood and brings emotional stability, so that we can look at the sunny side of our day. The winter months can severely upset the normal chemical balance in our bodies, so getting enough light exposure is imperative for our health.

However, if you are experiencing symptoms of depression, anxiety, increased sleep and fatigue, moodiness, social withdrawal, difficulty concentrating and increased appetite with weight gain, you may be experiencing a more serious condition called Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). This can affect your health, relationships, academics and everyday activities.

It is important to contact a healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment of SAD and other types of depression. If you think that you may be experiencing symptoms of SAD or depression, please talk to your doctor or explore mental health resources offered through the Staff and Faculty Assistance Program.

This story was adapted from UChicago Student Wellness.