By Meghan Runte
Every year, when winter ends and spring begins, there is a change in energy, motivation, and morale among people of all ages. In winter, when the days are short and cold, many people suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).
SAD is classified by Mayo Clinic as “a type of depression that’s related to changes in seasons, it begins and ends at about the same times every year.” Symptoms are most often in fall and winter months, however some experience SAD in spring and summer.
An anonymous sophomore shared that “winter looks depressing, feels depressing, and is in the middle of the school year, when the recharge from summer is depleted and the end is nowhere in sight. When spring comes, it feels like there’s actually a point to everything.” They also added that “summer to fall everything feels unduly difficult, and from winter to spring it starts to get a bit better.”
An anonymous faculty member said that, “I get the winter blues. More sunshine and being able to be outside more puts me in a better mood.”
The change from daylight saving time to daylight losing time is often a factor in the changes of moods in the changes of seasons. A total of 76% of faculty and students surveyed said that they think SAD is a result of losing daylight time. Shorter days and cold weather lead to many feelings of laziness and lack of motivation.
Senior Brianna Lach said that spring boosts her morale because it is “a time where the weather is nice, nature is replenishing, and it feels like a new beginning and time for growth.”
French teacher Mrs. Ellen Bungenstock does not think that SAD is a result of daylight losing time. She stated, “I get excited for the new school year, so I think my mood fluctuates opposite of most. I don’t mind the transition to shorter days, but spring has historically been difficult for me.” She added that in spring, “even if my motivation is decent, my ability to complete tasks drops when my mood drops.”
Freshman Sophia Trauth said that “winter is cold and dark, and summer is warm and bright, and our mood tends to reflect the environment.”
Mayo Clinic recommended preventing SAD by making your home brighter by opening blinds and sitting closer to windows, by spending time outside walking or eating a meal, by staying active and exercising regularly, and by having a normal and constant sleep schedule. They added that socialization with friends, family, and even strangers can help boost your mood when you are feeling sad. When you are feeling down, it is important to connect with people you enjoy being around.
Next fall, if you start to feel unmotivated or stressed, think about how the weather and environment effects your mood, and how you can bring yourself back up.
The McNicholas Milestone 