An Hour a Day Keeps the Doctor Away
Seasonal Affective Disorder, also known as SAD, affects up to 35 per cent of Canadians.
According to Psychology Today, women are four times more likely to develop SAD than men, and individuals are at higher risk if they have family members or direct relatives with some form of depression or mental illness. SAD may affect individuals differently, varying from mild to severe cases, with severe forms leading to hospitalization.
As students spend hours inside attending classes, studying, and avoiding the winter weather, they must be vigilant of SAD. The younger generation, which students are mainly comprised of, are more prone to the disorder than their older counterparts.
Although SAD generally effects individuals throughout fall and winter seasons, similar symptoms can be felt throughout summer seasons as well, though summer SAD occurs less often and symptoms are often less severe.
Symptoms may include irritability, fatigue, hypersomnia, low energy levels, and an avoidance of social situations. Canadians, similar to natives of any northern country, are more susceptible to develop SAD as a result of shorter days and reduced sunlight paired with the cold weather.
Psychology professor Dr. Nancy Higgins said reduced sunlight can create a disturbance in circadian rhythm, which she describes as a “biological clock”.
“The circadian rhythm is key to many aspects of proper biological functions and when disrupted, effects can be debilitating. One of the biggest effects is the disruption of sleep patterns in depression,” said Higgins.
Higgins further explains that a decrease in exposure to sunlight is what causes hypersomnia in individuals as it distorts the REM and slow-wave sleep cycles.
“Luckily, with SAD, it is relatively easy to overcome or avoid. Exposure to light is the key, so a one hour walk outside, even on a cloudy day, during winter days can prevent the development of SAD or turn it around if underway,” said Higgins.
Exercise is crucial in preventing and treating SAD. Activities such as walking, running, biking, or any form of exercise that gets blood pumping and endorphins flowing throughout the body. This draws individuals out of the house and exposes them to sunlight, whether it be travelling to the gym, a park, or simply visiting their local coffee shop.
According to the Center for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), neurotransmitters including endorphins, serotonin, and dopamine can all become inhibited with SAD, which is likely a main contributing factor to the disorder.
https://www.camh.ca/en/health-info/mental-illness-and-addiction-index/seasonal-affective-disorder
Third year History and Political Science major at St. Thomas University, Henk Ueffing, hails from Canning, Nova Scotia where he has become accustomed to cloudy days and long, cold winters. He has felt first-hand the effects of SAD in Fredericton.
“I sleep a lot more, its negative I guess because I have less energy to do things like school work and go out socially. […] I’ve had it for 3 or 4 years, ever since I moved out of my parents house and began university,” said Ueffing.
Ueffing said since moving to Fredericton, the lack of a car contributes greatly to his SAD, as it leaves him unmotivated to do any academic or social activities.
“I sleep more but I am always tired, and I have no motivation to do anything. My mother always told me, ‘A cure is right there, a good walk and fresh air’ but I find it hard to get motivated to get out of bed and be productive,” said Ueffing.
