In fact, lack of light and sun, heavy rains or repeated snowfalls affect our mental health on a daily basis.
It’s called seasonal depression, and it causes depression, boredom, often accompanied by the need for sleep, explains Dr. Katherine Rouleau, GP in Toronto, on the show No tomorrow is the same. Other manifestations can be added, such as loss of appetite or, on the contrary, hyperphagia.
March, the month too many
Alternating between clear periods and snowstorms over a long period of time also affects our morale, and the longer the winter lasts, the more we draw on our resources.
March is also the busiest month of the year at the practice of Julia Santo, Clinical Psychologist and Psychotherapist. We have a strong demand for consultations because people are tired, their last holidays are for Christmas and they are therefore exhausted, especially as the weather has not been good this year!
And that can affect both family and professional interactions: people are more irascible, take things personally. Everything is hard.
Everyone can be affected by seasonal depression to varying degrees, the clinical psychologist points out. Of course, the longer the winter lasts, the more we risk exposure to it.
Changes in weather from week to week aren’t helping, such as when snow and freezing rain hit Ontario on the day after a mild thaw last weekend, along with low, gray skies. The body doesn’t have time to get used to it, adds Julia Santo.
“What little vitamin D the body has stored is quickly used up, and it is a vitamin that cannot be stored. »
— A quote from Julia Santo, practicing psychologist
The biological clock is put to the test when the difference in brightness is too great for a short time.
But how do you keep the length? Of course, the easiest way is to seek the sun elsewhere, but there are other, less expensive solutions. I encourage my patients to recognize their vital needs that do them good on a daily basis: that can go to the cinema, go to a restaurant, have coffee with friends, have quality time with family, Julia Santo explains.
You can then choose from this list to cheer yourself up in case of a moral blow. Indoor activities are also highly recommended. We can organize meals at home with friends, the clinical psychologist advises.
impose discipline
Another solution is to prescribe a daily routine of sport and regular outings for an hour a day, preferably when the sun is shining, why not during the lunch break. for dr Katherine Rouleau makes you tempt to spend more time outdoors knowing you’re on such a low diet. We soak up the sun. We also try to get regular sleep, it can make symptoms worse if we sleep poorly.
The solution can also come from the plate. While vitamin D lozenges are a good supplement, eating a balanced and varied diet can only do you good. You need to create a virtuous cycle, Julia Santo advises, and most importantly, avoid comfort foods that can make you gain weight.