As the temperatures rise, the flowers bloom, and the sun comes out the seasons aren’t the only thing changing. Emotions are constantly fluctuating, but during transitions through the seasons, our emotions can be all over the place. This can be explained by science and just raw human experience.
There are different experiences and ways to process emotions, but what does the weather have to do with it? When the seasons change, so do moods.
Out of a poll of 33 students and adults, 44% said summer was the season they felt the happiest while only 8% said winter.
Contradictorily, sophomore Anna Cobb said, “It [Seasonal depression] comes for me in the summer and it just feels like I don’t wanna do anything, I don’t wanna go anywhere.”
Seasonal depression is a phrase describing going through a period of depression and distress during a particular season.
Out of the same poll, when asked if they had experienced seasonal depression before 79% said yes and 21% said no. It’s clear seasonal depression is a common occurrence, and can happen any time of the year, winter being the most common season.
The National Institute of Mental Health said, “In most cases, SAD symptoms start in the late fall or early winter and go away during the spring and summer, known as winter-pattern SAD or winter depression.”
What can you do to combat and cope with the change in your feelings? This is the same question asked in the poll, and both rest and listening to music were the most popular coping strategies with each having a 32% vote. Other mechanisms include art/journaling with a 27% vote and talking to friends/family with only a 9% vote.
With the seasons changing be ready for moods to change, too. Spending some time connecting with emotions and finding the right coping strategies can help to have an easier transition into the next season so everyone can enjoy the days to come.
