How the changing of seasons can affect our mood and influence our daily behaviour is quite interesting when you take a step back and consider it.

I think we can all relate in terms of how the weather effects our everyday life and the way it makes us feel. Some people absolutely love the summer months and associate bright days with happiness, while others can’t stand the heat and tend to stay inside where they feel most comfortable.

As we come into autumn, I myself love the change in fashion and interior while sipping a hot chocolate inside on a rainy day, while others hate the gloomy sunlight and tend to feel sad. This can often be known as Seasonal Affective Disorder which stands for a depressive disorder with a seasonal pattern.

It is so interesting to know that the weather can determine how our days actually go. When learning about this disorder it reveals a lot about when there is a significant drop in sunlight hours, this can influence our melatonin and serotonin levels which causes a number of mood and behavioural changes. It is very common that some people start to feel very down when winter is coming, studies show that this is completely normal. Due to shorter days and dull weather, sometimes we like to have a whinge about, this, of course is completely normal.

Symptoms of Seasonal Effective Disorder build up through autumn and winter when you start to feel persistently low in mood and have a lack of energy. This could also result in a loss of appetite, low motivation and a change in your sleeping pattern. Many people wouldn’t realise they have this disorder unless they look back on previous years. Understanding the circumstances as to why you feel this way can make you feel so much better.

The key point I have learned here is sunlight. I do understand that it lifts everyone’s mood when there is a bright day rather than a dull one. If I was to give anyone advice I would say to make the most of the sunlight hours in winter. It is highly effective to take Vitamin D especially in the colder months. This can contribute to your overall mental and physical health. If the seasons do affect your mood, always remember that this time will pass, making the most of each seasonal change. It is important to know that not every season effects someone in the same way and that is why mental health is important, no matter what time of year it is.