As winter approaches, the French, confined, would be more prone to seasonal depression. Several studies show that the weather has an influence on our mind, but also on our body.
Weather sensitive: body and mind react to the weather
The onset of bad weather would lead to a seasonal depression for 25% of the population, accentuated this year by the pandemic and containment. In addition, two studies were carried out in Canada and Germany. The results show that variations in humidity, temperature and atmospheric pressure lead to migraines, joint pain, irritability, dizziness, exhaustion, and even depression. However, the degrees of sensitivity differ depending on the individual. Indeed, some people are more sensitive to it than others: “ These are often people who have a fragile adrenal gland or thyroid »Reveals Dr Michèle Guyader, general practitioner.
Marie Romanens, psychoanalyst, indicates that “ the off-seasons, autumn and spring, are particularly critical times for the most fragile “. Spring ” asks, after a certain time of winter fall asleep, to awaken our vital aggressiveness, this surge of life which gave birth to us in the world and allows us to grow in it. For some, this transition can generate anxiety “. She also adds that “ when someone complains a lot about the weather, they of course say something else: their vulnerability, their anxiety, their depressive feelings. It’s a way to signify one’s discomfort while remaining in one’s self “.
“ The study of the effects of climate on living things is a relatively recent science ”, Attests the bioclimatologist Jean-Claude Cohen, director of the health and weather service at Météo-France. Few studies have been carried out because it is difficult to analyze how weather influences mood, many factors being taken into account in particular. If it is not scientifically proven whether or not the weather affects our well-being, it is certain that the weather is ” the drop of water that broke the camel’s back As Jean-Claude Cohen says.
Light therapy as a solution
Light influences our biological and seasonal clock, which is located in our brain and which allows us to program our body through day and night. It is for this reason that the change of time is often abrupt and that our internal clock needs time to adapt. It is therefore important to expose yourself as much as possible to natural light. ” In reality, more than the weather, it is the absence of light that has a negative impact on our body. »Reveals Johanna Rozenblum, clinical psychologist. Another option: half an hour of daily exposure to white light with a luminous intensity of 10,000 lux.
It is also important to respect your sleep rhythm. ” Seasonal depression can cause hypersomnia which, if listened to, can make depressive symptoms worse »Indicates psychiatrist Hervé Montès, president of the French Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapy.
