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Sunlight and Depression: Do we get Depressed Because of a Lack of Sunlight?

If you have ever watched a depressing movie set in the far northern hemisphere where the dark winters seem to last forever, you can probably see a connection between a lack of sunlight and depression, but it is actually a well-known scientific fact that not enough exposure to sunlight can lead to a low mood and sunlight depression is a recognised phenomenon.

Why does a lack of sunlight sometimes lead to depression?

For most of us, waking up to a bright sunny day is a major mood booster. There is nothing worse that getting up on a dark, gloomy November morning, but when the sun is out and the sky is blue, we find it far easier to bounce out of bed and get through the day with a smile on our faces.

But although sunlight feels good on our skin and gives us a nice golden tan, there is a lot more going on beneath the surface than a simple feel-good factor. Sunlight leads to higher levels of a chemical in the brain called serotonin, and serotonin plays a very important role in moderating moods and energy levels.

Research has shown that the amount of sunlight we are exposed to, irrespective of all other factors, including the season and environmental variables, can have a major effect on the levels of serotonin in our brain—and the lower the serotonin levels, the more likely we are to suffer from the effects of depression.

How is our mood affected by sunlight?

Our moods are affected by many things, not least the complex relationships between chemicals in our brain at any given time. As night falls, levels of melatonin rise and slow our energy levels down in preparation for sleep, but when the sun comes up again, melatonin falls and levels of serotonin rise, lifting our mood and increasing energy levels. However, when we are exposed to less sunlight (either because the days are shorter or because we are stuck indoors for long periods of time), levels of melatonin rise while serotonin levels fall.

Can taking extra serotonin help to combat the effects of sunlight depression?

Sunlight itself is a very powerful natural antidepressant, but many modern antidepressants are based on the effects of serotonin. Selective serotonin re-uptake inhibiters, also known as SSRIs, help to keep serotonin levels in the blood higher by slowing the process whereby serotonin is naturally broken down. Light therapy can also help reduce the effects of sunlight depression.

Natural self-help techniques for reducing the symptoms of sunlight depression

Unless you live in the far north where the winters are characterised by very few daylight hours, it is advisable to spend as much time outdoors enjoying some natural daylight as you can. Experts recommend at least twenty minutes outdoors per day, preferably doing some form of exercise, as this can help to combat the effects of depression caused by a lack of sunlight. It is also a good idea to maximise your exposure to sunlight over the preceding summer (as long as you adhere to sun safety protocol), as this can also reduce your risk of depression during the winter months.

Related Articles:

  1. Seasonal Affective Disorder: Statistics and Facts It is not uncommon to feel a bit fed up over the winter. The weather is cold and miserable and our mood seems to drop as the days shorten, leaving us flat and lacking in motivation. What makes things worse is leaving the house in darkness, spending all day in...
  2. Does Light Therapy Help Against Seasonal Affective Disorder? Does light therapy help against seasonal affective disorder? SAD is a recognized medical condition affecting millions of people worldwide. Although it is often referred to as the Winter Blues, seasonal affective disorder can occur at different times of the year and symptoms of SAD arise whenever the body’s natural circadian...
  3. Diet and Depression: Can the Right Diet Help Against Depression? Food and emotions are often inextricably linked. Lots of people comfort-eat when they are feeling upset or miserable, whereas others go off their food entirely. But aside from the blips in our appetite when we are unhappy, is there a link between diet and depression—and can eating the right foods...
  4. What is Seasonal Affective Disorder? It is not unusual to feel a bit glum once summer is over and the weather turns cold and miserable, but for some people, the slow descent into winter can lead to a major case of the blues that does not go away until the first spring bulbs begin to...
  5. Sad Lights: Do They Work? SAD lights: do they work? Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a mood disorder that occurs during certain seasons of the year. Seasonal affective disorder causes feelings of depression in people who are normally perfectly happy at other times of the year. Although the disorder is commonly associated with the winter...

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