“It has been cloudy weather for days now and as soon as I step out of my home, it begins to rain, which annoys me even more. I feel lethargic all day and have an urge to get some sunlight, in order to have an energy boost. Today, I woke up to a sunny morning and the level of energy I have today, as compared to the past few days, is unmatchable. I have experienced this for a couple of years now and I do feel that monsoon blues are actually real”, says a media professional from Hyderabad.
Having mood swings as the season changes is quite a possibility. Some people feel better waking up to the sun, and feel cranky waking up to cloudy or thunderous weather. Such a mood is often referred to as ‘monsoon blues’. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), “many people go through short periods of time where they feel sad or not like their usual selves. Sometimes, these mood changes begin and end when the seasons change. People may start to feel “down” when the days get shorter in the fall and winter (also called “winter blues”) and begin to feel better in the spring, with longer daylight hours.
In some cases, these mood changes are more serious and can affect how a person feels, thinks, and handles daily activities. If you have noticed significant changes in your mood and behavior whenever the seasons change, you may be suffering from seasonal affective disorder (SAD), a type of depression”. Bad weather can have a negative effect on your mood. As per a study, 9% of people fall in the category of rain haters, who feel cranky and less happy on rainy days.
What Are The Symptoms?
Since SAD is a type of depression, its symptoms are likely to be similar to that of depression. The NIMH states that the signs and symptoms of SAD include those associated with major depression, and some specific symptoms that differ for winter-pattern and summer-pattern SAD. Not every person with SAD will experience all of the symptoms listed below:
Symptoms of major depression may include:
- Feeling depressed most of the day, nearly every day
- Losing interest in activities you once enjoyed
- Experiencing changes in appetite or weight
- Having problems with sleep
- Feeling sluggish or agitated
- Having low energy
- Feeling hopeless or worthless
- Having difficulty concentrating
- Having frequent thoughts of death or suicide
For winter-pattern SAD, additional specific symptoms may include:
- Oversleeping (hypersomnia)
- Overeating, particularly with a craving for carbohydrates
- Weight gain
- Social withdrawal (feeling like “hibernating”)
Specific symptoms for summer-pattern SAD may include:
- Trouble sleeping (insomnia)
- Poor appetite, leading to weight loss
- Restlessness and agitation
- Anxiety
- Episodes of violent behavior
How To Deal?
However, experts believe that SAD is experienced more during the winter season. But during monsoon, our body clock changes, our digestive health is compromised and we might feel a lot sleepy. Therefore, to deal with monsoon blues here is what can be done:
- Meet a friend for a hot cup of coffee
- Eat light and easily digestible food
- Stay physically active
- Pamper yourself with a spa or massage
Also Read: Here's How To Optimize Stress, Sleep And Immunity
