However, the idea of winter days having a negative affect on our mood is not news. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is thought by the NHS to affect approximately 1 in 15 people in the UK during the winter months, with the worst months being December to February. The decreased hours of daylight means a reduced exposure to sunlight, which could mean a drop in the levels of a hormone in the body called serotonin. Serotonin has a known affect on our mood and low levels have been linked to incidences of depression. The majority of antidepressants prescribed in the UK are SSRIs, or Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors, that work to keep high levels of free serotonin in the brain to help combat the symptoms of depression.
All the planning for Christmas means we can build up high expectations of what this dream Christmas is going to be like, and if it doesn't all go according to plan we can feel like we've failed. Or perhaps even that it was derailed by something or someone else. The trials and tribulations of an extended period with family can be fraught with possibilities of arguments old and new souring the brandy butter. Perhaps this is a dynamic you'd like to gain more understanding of to open up the possibility of things being a bit different for you from now on. If so you might find therapy a useful opportunity for this exploration. If that's true for you, please feel free to contact me and we can arrange a free assessment session