Have you ever heard about winter blues?

Do you ever feel blue around the winter holidays or get into a slump after the fun and festivities end?

Winter Blues is not something medically diagnosed instead it’s some short–lived dumps in moods experienced by most people in winter days. Unlike, Seasonal Affective Disorder which is a well-defined clinical diagnosis and follows a regular pattern as it appears every year when the seasons change.

During winters, the days get shorter as the sun sets early, due to which most of us are not able to get an efficient amount of sunlight leading to the deterioration in our Vitamin-D stores. Reduced sunlight amount triggers the body’s internal biological clock (known as circadian rhythm), as normally the brain sends signals during the day to keep the body in action, while at night a tiny gland in the brain produces a chemical named as melatonin, which helps us sleep. The shortening of daylight hours alters this natural rhythm and may cause SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) in most people.

Feeling blue for a short time, during these cold weather days is common and can be treated by adopting a healthy routine such as a good sleep schedule, a balanced diet, taking Vitamin-D supplements and staying connected with friends as a healthy social support system is always a necessity.

But if these blues last for several days, it can be SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder). Though, SAD goes off by itself and lasts only for the winter months (almost 5 months), but it’s better to see a doctor, than to keep yourself impaired and suffering for those months.