With chillier temperatures and the fading of brilliant fall colors, there’s another downward shift that often occurs at this time of year: Moods and energy levels often fall as the daylight hours become shorter. Even for those who don’t experience the depressive state indicated by a “seasonal affective disorder” (SAD) diagnosis, some change in mood and energy at this time of year is normal.
Defense Against the Winter Blues
One way to practice self-care for both mind and body in the fall is to make an effort to eat a healthy and nourishing diet. The Mediterranean diet, in particular, is full of mood-boosting nutrients that make it a good choice for combating seasonal blues.There are naturally occurring physiological shifts once the daylight hours grow shorter, and these can have a direct impact on our moods. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter (chemical messenger) that, among many functions, works to boost and stabilize mood. However, it’s dependent upon vitamin D for its synthesis, and because levels of vitamin D (primarily produced via exposure to sunlight) also drop during the winter months, serotonin production is reduced.
