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As winter settles in and the sun sets a little earlier, many people experience a dip in mood commonly referred to as the “winter blues.” This condition is characterized by feelings of sadness, fatigue, and a lack of motivation that typically appears during the winter season.
A 2022 poll by the American Psychiatric Association found that nearly 40 percent of Americans experience the winter blues. According to the National Institutes of Health, it is largely due to a biochemical imbalance resulting from shorter days and reduced sunlight during the winter months that can affect a person’s circadian rhythm (internal clock). A lack of sunlight can also impact serotonin production, which is one of the body’s chemical messengers that plays a key role in regulating things like mood, memory, and behavior.
For military members, stationed away from family members during the holiday season can add another layer of difficulty.
“Military service members may be prone to the blues around the holidays,” says Dr. Kimberly Buckingham, a clinical psychologist with the Defense Centers for Public Health – Aberdeen. “Especially when you are supposed to be spending more time with those you love, a permanent change of station and separation from family and friends may leave you feeling more sad or isolated during the holidays.”
Symptoms of the winter blues can include low energy, changes in sleep pattern, and changes in appetite that occur during the winter months and resolve as spring approaches.
According to the APA, there are several simple lifestyle changes you can make to beat the winter blues, including taking in as much daylight as possible, staying active by planning activities to look forward to, eating a healthy diet, avoiding excess sugar and caffeine, practicing self-care, and staying connected with friends and family.
If your winter blues last longer than the season, it may be time to speak with a healthcare provider about your symptoms.
To schedule an appointment at a military medical treatment facility, patients can login to the MHS Genesis Patient Portal or call your MTF’s appointment line. Patients enrolled at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center can call the LRMC central appointment line at DSN 590-572 or COMM 06371-9464-5762. Patients enrolled at the 86th Medical Group can contact the appointment line at DSN 479-2273 or COMM 06371-46-2273. Appointment lines are closed on weekends and during federal holidays.
