The winter blues: Why this time of year can feel so hard

By Carrie Halladay As the days get shorter and the temperatures drop, some people notice that something changes in them, too. They have less energy. Getting out of bed becomes harder. They may want to sleep more, stay home more and find themselves reaching for comfort foods. We often call it the “winter blues,” and for many people, it is very real. Our bodies are affected by changes in daylight. Less exposure to sunlight can influence our internal body clock, sleep patterns and brain chemicals involved in mood. Add colder weather, less time outdoors and fewer opportunities for social interaction and winter can become a difficult season emotionally. For some people, these changes are relatively mild. You might feel a little less motivated or notice that you aren’t enjoying things quite as much as usual.

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