Weather and Health

Experts have l0ng tried to better understand how weather influences mood, health, and a person's overall well-being. While some of these studies have been well documented, shedding light on it's impact on the human body, others are still not yet fully understood as scientists continue to explore this phenomenon.

Seasonal Affective Disorder

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that affects people at certain times of the year. There are two classifications for SAD: fall and winter, and spring and summer. Fall and winter SAD is most prevalent due to daylight savings time and the reduced hours of daylight.

Overall, SAD usually starts in early adulthood between the ages of eighteen and thirty and affects about 5 percent of American adults, with women being four times more likley than men to experience this condition. A milder symptom, defined as winter blues, impacts about 10 to 20 percent of the US population.

What Causes SAD?

Though scientists are still studying the causes, they believe there are several reasons why someone may experience SAD.

Brain chemical imbalance

• Levels of serotonin can decrease during winter months due to the reduced hours of daylight

Too much melatonin

• Lack of sunlight may increase melatonin levels, which can disrupt sleep patterns.

Vitamin D deficiency

• Because sunlight helps boost vitamin D levels, decreased sunshine during the winter months can reduce them

Negative thoughts

• Scientists are not sure if this is a cause or effect of SAD, but they believe that thinking about winter can initiate anxiety, stress, and negativity

Change in the biological clock

• A person's biological clock can shift during seasons, which can disrupt sleep patterns, hormone levels, and mood.

Weather can have a profound effect on a person, both mentally and physically. It's important to understand the signs and symptoms of weather-related health problems so you can get proper medical help.