Increased daylight hours, sunlight and warmer weather have both positive and negative effects on our moods and sense of well-being. The positive effects on our mood are very welcome after a long, cold winter. But even good things like springtime can have negative impacts on people who suffer from seasonal affective disorder (SAD).
Spring can bring some people positive feelings of rejuvenation and growth. It’s not at all unusual to find oneself humming a lively spring tune or thinking of what to plant in this year’s garden. There is a sense of renewed hope that leaves many of us feeling optimistic about the near future. For others, the spring season can bring with it a sense of sadness and depression. Mood swings, irritability and anxiety can surge with an increase in daylight and warmer temperatures. Seasonal Allergies can contribute to both physical and mental stress.
Environmental changes can play a significant role in a person’s overall mood going into spring. Springtime allergies like hay fever can cause symptoms like sneezing, a runny nose, congestion, and burning, itchy eyes. Tree pollen seems to be a major culprit which is most common in early spring followed by grass pollen in late spring and summer. Symptoms can range from mild to severe and even develop into reactions like wheezing or difficulty breathing. Pollen levels are highest in the morning according to the Mayo Clinic. They suggest staying indoors until early afternoon to avoid higher amounts of exposure to pollen. Also, limit time outdoors during dry, windy days.
Seasonal Effective Disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that’s related to changes in seasons. It seems to begin and end at about the same time each year. Some people are more affected in the fall and winter seasons while others are more affected in the spring and summer. Treatment for SAD is more prevalent for most people in the fall and winter – when symptoms typically begin appearing, and treatment can include light therapy, psychotherapy and medications. For these people, symptoms go away in spring and summer thanks to the increase in daylight, and warmer weather. Although less common, the opposite is true for others, and SAD has a springtime onset. The signs and symptoms of SAD may include losing interest in your favourite activities, feeling listless or sad almost every day, having low energy for no apparent reason, feelings of hopelessness, worthlessness or guilt, even having suicidal thoughts.
Specific fall /winter SAD symptoms can include sleeping a lot. Specific spring/summer SAD symptoms can be trouble sleeping, poor appetite, agitation, anxiety, and increased irritability. It’s normal to have some off -days, but if you feel blue for extended periods and you just can’t find that spark that gets you going, you might benefit from speaking to your doctor. This is especially important if your moods are affecting your sleep patterns or relationships. Some factors might increase your risk of SAD include a family history of the condition, having major depression, having bipolar disorder, living further away for the equator, and low levels of vitamin D.
According to the Mayo Clinic there is no known way to prevent the development of seasonal affective disorder. You can take steps to prevent the symptoms from getting worse, though. Early diagnosis and treatment are key to lessening the effects and complications of this often-debilitating health condition. While most of us really enjoy spring, for some, it can be torturous. The weather can be so unpredictable in spring. We can feel positive and energized when the sun is shining and the temperature climbs, but when the skies fill with clouds and the rain or snow starts to fall, we can all fall into a bit of a funk. The only thing we can count on is that this is Calgary, and the weather doesn’t usually take long to change again for the better. Just remember on those cloudy, cold spring days, that summer is right around the corner.
