By Alan Suderman
THE ERICKSON TRIBUNE
North Texas doesn’t strike too many as a winter wonderland, but it can be rough. Days are long, temperatures are cold, and when the joy of the holidays becomes a distant memory, winter can take a toll. After a few weeks indoors with less exposure to sunlight, people may start to experience the “winter blues.”
Experts say that feelings of depression, anxiety, and irritability are very real biological responses to the season.
Time to hibernate?
Due to longer periods of darkness in the winter, the human body increases production of melatonin. The spike in melatonin induces urges to sleep longer and eat more—much in the same way animals hibernate during the winter months.
Older adults can be even more susceptible to the resulting “winter blues,” says Mary Norman, M.D., medical director at Highland Springs: “Winter can affect lots of people’s moods. And for older adults especially, it doesn’t take much of a temperature drop to see a difference.”
Dr. Norman says the symptoms of seasonal depression may not necessarily be overt; they could come in the form of mild despondency, lack of motivation, or retreat from social interaction. To counter the effects of winter, she advises staying active and maintaining as much social interaction as possible. “Even doing little things like writing a letter can make a difference,” Dr. Norman says.
Community makes winter a blast
Since hundreds of friends and a host of events are just a short, indoor walk from home, many at Highland Springs find the winter a breeze. And with covered walkways between buildings, residents can get plenty of exercise without going outside.