Walking in a Winter Wonderland

Winter has come. With the holiday approaching, it is time for many to travel to countries experiencing incoming flurries of snow. But despite all the holiday festivities, it’s common knowledge that the cold weather renders our bodies more susceptible to various kinds of sicknesses, but what about its effect on our brain?

True, it is not uncommon knowledge either that people often experience moodiness and irritability during winter, perhaps even anxiety and depression. How many of you have gone through this? Have you ever wondered: what is wrong?—it’s the holidays! Actually, there are several approaches to explain this phenomenon, two of which will be discussed in this article. 

Approach 1: serotonin levels

Our brain is the control centre of our physical beings: it communicates with the different parts and facilitates the coordination of the body. Consequently, to perform this highly complex function, neurons in the brain have neurotransmitters—chemical signals released by one end of a neuron and are received by the next. One neurotransmitter predicted to play a significant role in our psyche in the cold weather is serotonin which is responsible for the regulation of mood, eating behaviour, sleep/arousal, and energy. 

Out of the seasons in a year, the rate of synthesis of serotonin by the brain was lowest in winter; this same rate decreases with luminosity and duration of exposure to sunlight (Lambert et al., 2002). Additionally, serotonin transporters are more sensitive during the winter (or fall) as compared to the warmer seasons. 

Thus serotonin levels fluctuate as the seasons change, as does the duration of its effect. In the winter, when levels of serotonin is lowest and transporters are more sensitive, there is a faster inactivation of the neurotransmitter, leading to a shorter effect duration. And as these change, your mood and behaviour changes. Low levels of serotonin is characterized by symptoms such as fatigue, disturbed sleep and eating patterns, anxiety, depression, and mood swings. Hence it makes sense that one may feel generally down during the cold season.

Other biological explanations

Other biological explanations to the mentioned psychological effects of cold weather include lowered levels of vitamin D which, similarly, results in mood changes and altered circadian rhythm (the body’s sleep-wake cycle/internal clock). 

Approach 2: the expectation vs reality trap

Another approach to explain the phenomenon rides on a completely different track: the expectation vs reality trap during the winter holiday season (however, just because one approach is more abstract than the other, it does not mean that they do not complement). 

To explain the expectation vs reality trap, we must first define what is meant by “expectations” and “reality”: expectations are what we think will happen; reality is what really comes to pass. Along with the incoming flurries of snow and festivities during the winter, there also comes especially high expectations of a good time with family and friends. Most would hold hopes and vision for a specific outcome or result—I know I certainly do. And when there is a discrepancy between the two, when reality does not satisfy our expectations, it generally leads to dissatisfaction and reduced gratitude. 

Furthermore, family and holiday stress could further amplify this effect. With increased time spent with family during the school break or weather conditions, there is greater chance of friction and tension within the family; or the pressure and exhaustion that comes from an overwhelming list of tasks and errands such as gift-shopping, event-organisation and more could increase the chances and intensity of depressing or anxious feelings in the winter. 

Conclusion

In more serious cases, this could lead to social withdrawal, problems at school or work, addiction, and other mental helath disorders. Therefore it is imperative to recognise and monitor oneself during the winter despite all the holiday cheer—especially with all the holiday cheer. 

This is the dangerous paradox of a winter wonderland. 

References 

Embark Behavioral Health. (2023, November 24). Winter Mental Health: Helping teens and young adults cope. https://www.embarkbh.com/blog/winter-mental-health/#:~:text=Psychological%20Effects%20of%20Winter%20and%20Cold%20Weather%201,4%20Family%20stress%20. . .%205%20Holiday%20stress%20

Lambert, G., Reid, C. M., Kaye, D. M., Jennings, G., & Esler. (2002b). Effect of sunlight and season on serotonin turnover in the brain. The Lancet, 360(9348), 1840–1842. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0140-6736(02)11737-5

Scott, E., PhD. (2022, April 18). The Expectations vs. Reality Trap. Verywell Mind. https://www.verywellmind.com/expectation-vs-reality-trap-4570968

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) - Symptoms & causes - Mayo Clinic. (2021, December 14). Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/seasonal-affective-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20364651#Symptoms

Marwa , A. PhD. (2019, November 17). Winter Brain: Why Do We Feel Sad and Tired in Winter? Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/neuroscience-in-everyday-life/201911/winter-brain-why-do-we-feel-sad-and-tired-in-winter