Do Healthy Women Experience the Winter Blues?
Friday, February 9, 2024 at 7:39AM A new scientific study says, YUP!
In addition to e-Spokes volunteer, my day job is human biologist, especially the ways in which women's bodies and minds respond to changes in environmental and social conditions.
My most recent work was in Iceland, where my team collected daily data from healthy women on 4 measures (mood, mental sharpness, social support, physical health) in summer (when the sun "never sets") and winter (when the sun just barely rises).
Scores on these 4 measures were significantly better in summer than winter. These are the strongest data so far to show the effects of shorter daylight on women's well-being. It's very likely the same impacts occur in men and, to a lesser extent, at lower latitudes.
So, if the winter blues are getting you down, get some rays (comfy chair in a sunny window, walking at the noon-ish hours) and know that spring is just 40 days away :)
Secure link to free copy of published study:
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ijop.13112
Virginia V. (happy to answer questions: dr.vj.vitzthum@gmail.com )