INDIANA – When thinking about the seasons and the weather, you may not necessarily associate them with mental health. But did you know that the weather can, in fact, have a large impact on your mental well-being?
While not everyone will be affected by the weather in this manner, it is very much a real concern. In fact, according to Mental Health America (mhnational.org), approximately five percent of adults in the United States will experience seasonal affective disorder. Specifically, out of the five percent of adults who experience seasonal affective disorder, also referred to as SAD, 75 percent of those adults are women.
Seasonal affective disorder is a form of depression that occurs annually, typically around the same time every year, and is due to seasonal changes.
Taking a deeper dive into seasonal affective disorder, it is typically caused by a change in the body’s production of melatonin. During the winter season there is less daylight, and with the increase in darkness, the production of the body’s melatonin increases. Melatonin is a hormone that is produced as a response to the presence of darkness. Thus, in the winter seasons, it is noticed that people feel more tired and lethargic due to the higher levels of melatonin the body produces. While it is most likely that seasonal affective disorder is experienced in the winter season, sometimes people may experience symptoms in other seasons as well.
Another way in which the weather and/or seasons can affect our mental health is because we might associate a particular season, such as summer, with family vacations. When that season rolls around, we are reminded of memories from the season, and we may be expecting a similar vacation experience to happen. On the other hand, if that same season comes around and you are not able to go on a family trip – let’s say due to finances – that season may bring about stress and have a strong impact on your mental health.
Additionally, seasonal weather can affect our mental health because it may bring about obstacles that may be stress-inducing. An example could be the weather in the season of winter. The weather in the winter season varies, of course, according to where you live, but let’s use Indiana as an example. In winter, the weather is typically colder, and we experience the effects of snow and ice. The obstacles snow and ice place on us can lead to higher levels of stress. For instance, perhaps your house loses power because of a winter storm and your family finds themselves in distress.
While we are not able to control the weather the seasons bring, we can take action to help with how the seasonal weather may affect us. If you experience seasonal affective disorder, getting more exposure to sunlight or seeking light therapy may be helpful. Increased exercise can also be beneficial.
If you do not experience seasonal affective disorder, the weather can still create distress and have an impact on your mental health. Ensuring a plan and/or routine for seasonal weather can help. Seeking out community resources can help tremendously as well.
Beth Thomas, MSW, LSW, is a Youth First Mental Health Professional at St. Joseph Catholic School in Gibson County and St. Bernard Catholic School in Spencer County. Youth First, Inc., is a nonprofit dedicated to strengthening youth and families. Youth First provides over 100 highly trained mental health professionals (primarily master’s level social workers), prevention programs, parent engagement coordinators, and bilingual support personnel to 126 schools across 14 Indiana counties. Over 53,000 youth and families per year are served by Youth First’s school-based social work and community programs that promote mental health, prevent substance misuse, and maximize student success. To learn more about Youth First, visit youthfirstinc.org or call 812-421-8336.
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