Seasonal Depression Disproportionately Impacts Women: Here's How to Cope

By
Julia Hogan-Werner, LCPC
Published On
February 22, 2022
Seasonal Depression Disproportionately Impacts Women: Here's How to Cope

The winter months start off strong: November brings Thanksgiving, December brings Christmas, and the beginning of January has the festive feel of a New Year. But then what? Dreary January, bleak February, and miserable March. During that bleak stretch of wintry months, many of us experience the “winter blues” or even seasonal depression, which is four times more common in women than in men. The reason for this difference isn’t fully understood, but some researchers theorize that this difference could be due to women’s higher estrogen levels, which affect serotonin. If you find yourself feeling down during this time, there are some things you can try to help brighten the dark days.

Understanding the Symptoms

The “winter blues” refers to the overall experience of lethargy, low motivation, and a general “blah” feeling once the weather turns colder, the days become shorter, and there is less daylight. It’s estimated that between ten and twenty percent of the U.S. population experiences some form of the winter blues.

The winter blues is a less severe form of seasonal depression (also called Seasonal Affective Disorder or SAD), which affects about five percent of the population. Symptoms typically appear during late fall or early winter and disappear in spring or summer. They include many of the common symptoms of depression, such as:

  • Loss of interest in activities once enjoyed
  • Feeling sluggish or agitated
  • Low energy
  • Feeling hopeless or worthless
  • Having difficulty concentrating
  • Having frequent thoughts of death or suicide

As well as seasonally-specific symptoms:

  • Oversleeping
  • Overeating (in addition, often craving carbs)
  • Weight gain
  • Social withdrawal

So what can you do during these cold, dark, and snowy months? There are several options that can not only help you manage symptoms, but also help you thrive during this time.

Light Therapy

Light therapy has been a tried and true treatment for seasonal depression for decades. This consists of using a special lamp that emits 10,000 lux and filters out harmful UV rays to mimic sun exposure. You sit with the lamp about 2 to 3 feet away from you and off to the side (don’t stare directly into the light) while you read, write, listen to music, talk to your family members, or just sit and relax for 15 to 30 minutes. Using the lamp every day has been shown to improve mood in as early as four days and can have a full effect in about two weeks.

One study found that 70 percent of participants experienced relief from their seasonal depression symptoms in a few weeks. You can find affordable lamps at most major retailers, but check with your provider first before using since it isn’t recommended for people with diabetes, retina conditions, those on certain medications, or people diagnosed with bipolar.

Vitamin D

Researchers believe that low vitamin D levels may play a role in seasonal depression. With less sunlight and time outdoors, we are exposed to the sun less in the winter than in the summer months, which means that our natural vitamin D levels are likely not as strong in the winter. Talking with your doctor about increasing your vitamin D levels might be a good idea if you experience seasonal depression.

Exercise

Exercise can be a powerful tool to help manage symptoms of seasonal depression. Regular exercise has been shown to boost not only your energy but also your mood. Incorporating some kind of exercise into your day will likely help you feel better overall, improve your mood, and minimize the effects of stress that you may be experiencing. Luckily, there are many options even when it is cold out, ranging from trying out a workout video from home, joining a gym, or bundling up to go for a walk with a friend.

Social Connection

During the winter, we tend to spend more time indoors and are less eager to venture out to spend time with people. This can compound the feelings of loneliness and isolation you may already be experiencing from seasonal depression. As much as you might be tempted to lean into those hibernation feelings, it’s important to make sure you are regularly connecting with your support network and those people whose company you enjoy the most. You might not feel like seeing people, but your spirits will be lifted when you make the effort to spend time with others.

Hygge

Remember when hygge was trending? This Danish term refers to embracing the “coziness” of the winter months by cultivating a comforting atmosphere and surrounding yourself with the company of people you enjoy. This can mean actually using that fireplace in your house for the first time, embracing the magical glow of candlelight, baking, having friends over to curl up in warm blankets for a movie night, etc. 

Therapy

If your seasonal depression is impacting your ability to function on a daily basis, attending regular therapy sessions can be helpful. Your therapist can not only evaluate and give a diagnosis, but they can also help you identify specific ways to treat your depressive symptoms. In particular, they can help you make behavioral and lifestyle changes as well as help you identify and change any cognitive thinking patterns that may be contributing to your symptoms. 


Please note: The information included in this article is meant for informational purposes only and is not meant to provide a diagnosis or treatment plan.

Latest from the Blog

I Miscarried While Unmarried, and My Loss Matters, Too
Blog
/
Body

I Miscarried While Unmarried, and My Loss Matters, Too

Victoria Velasquez-Feikles
The Story Behind the “Abortion Pill” Is a Lot More Complicated Than It Seems
Blog
/
Body

The Story Behind the “Abortion Pill” Is a Lot More Complicated Than It Seems

Kathryn Brewer
What Does Plan B’s New Drug Label Mean for Catholic Healthcare?
Blog
/
Body

What Does Plan B’s New Drug Label Mean for Catholic Healthcare?

Kathryn Brewer
Meet the Young Doctors Who Are Expanding Options for Women’s Healthcare
Blog
/
Body

Meet the Young Doctors Who Are Expanding Options for Women’s Healthcare

Molly Franzonello
My Struggle with the Catholic Church’s Teaching on IVF
Blog
/
Body

My Struggle with the Catholic Church’s Teaching on IVF

Julie Taylor
Why Are So Many Women Freezing Their Eggs?
Blog
/
Body

Why Are So Many Women Freezing Their Eggs?

Stephanie DePrez
New Report on the Maternal Mortality Rate Highlights our Maternal Health Crisis
Blog
/
Body

New Report on the Maternal Mortality Rate Highlights our Maternal Health Crisis

Arianna Rosario
We Need More Support from the Catholic Church After Miscarriage and Infant Loss
Blog
/
Body

We Need More Support from the Catholic Church After Miscarriage and Infant Loss

Julie Taylor

The winter months start off strong: November brings Thanksgiving, December brings Christmas, and the beginning of January has the festive feel of a New Year. But then what? Dreary January, bleak February, and miserable March. During that bleak stretch of wintry months, many of us experience the “winter blues” or even seasonal depression, which is four times more common in women than in men. The reason for this difference isn’t fully understood, but some researchers theorize that this difference could be due to women’s higher estrogen levels, which affect serotonin. If you find yourself feeling down during this time, there are some things you can try to help brighten the dark days.

Understanding the Symptoms

The “winter blues” refers to the overall experience of lethargy, low motivation, and a general “blah” feeling once the weather turns colder, the days become shorter, and there is less daylight. It’s estimated that between ten and twenty percent of the U.S. population experiences some form of the winter blues.

The winter blues is a less severe form of seasonal depression (also called Seasonal Affective Disorder or SAD), which affects about five percent of the population. Symptoms typically appear during late fall or early winter and disappear in spring or summer. They include many of the common symptoms of depression, such as:

  • Loss of interest in activities once enjoyed
  • Feeling sluggish or agitated
  • Low energy
  • Feeling hopeless or worthless
  • Having difficulty concentrating
  • Having frequent thoughts of death or suicide

As well as seasonally-specific symptoms:

  • Oversleeping
  • Overeating (in addition, often craving carbs)
  • Weight gain
  • Social withdrawal

So what can you do during these cold, dark, and snowy months? There are several options that can not only help you manage symptoms, but also help you thrive during this time.

Light Therapy

Light therapy has been a tried and true treatment for seasonal depression for decades. This consists of using a special lamp that emits 10,000 lux and filters out harmful UV rays to mimic sun exposure. You sit with the lamp about 2 to 3 feet away from you and off to the side (don’t stare directly into the light) while you read, write, listen to music, talk to your family members, or just sit and relax for 15 to 30 minutes. Using the lamp every day has been shown to improve mood in as early as four days and can have a full effect in about two weeks.

One study found that 70 percent of participants experienced relief from their seasonal depression symptoms in a few weeks. You can find affordable lamps at most major retailers, but check with your provider first before using since it isn’t recommended for people with diabetes, retina conditions, those on certain medications, or people diagnosed with bipolar.

Vitamin D

Researchers believe that low vitamin D levels may play a role in seasonal depression. With less sunlight and time outdoors, we are exposed to the sun less in the winter than in the summer months, which means that our natural vitamin D levels are likely not as strong in the winter. Talking with your doctor about increasing your vitamin D levels might be a good idea if you experience seasonal depression.

Exercise

Exercise can be a powerful tool to help manage symptoms of seasonal depression. Regular exercise has been shown to boost not only your energy but also your mood. Incorporating some kind of exercise into your day will likely help you feel better overall, improve your mood, and minimize the effects of stress that you may be experiencing. Luckily, there are many options even when it is cold out, ranging from trying out a workout video from home, joining a gym, or bundling up to go for a walk with a friend.

Social Connection

During the winter, we tend to spend more time indoors and are less eager to venture out to spend time with people. This can compound the feelings of loneliness and isolation you may already be experiencing from seasonal depression. As much as you might be tempted to lean into those hibernation feelings, it’s important to make sure you are regularly connecting with your support network and those people whose company you enjoy the most. You might not feel like seeing people, but your spirits will be lifted when you make the effort to spend time with others.

Hygge

Remember when hygge was trending? This Danish term refers to embracing the “coziness” of the winter months by cultivating a comforting atmosphere and surrounding yourself with the company of people you enjoy. This can mean actually using that fireplace in your house for the first time, embracing the magical glow of candlelight, baking, having friends over to curl up in warm blankets for a movie night, etc. 

Therapy

If your seasonal depression is impacting your ability to function on a daily basis, attending regular therapy sessions can be helpful. Your therapist can not only evaluate and give a diagnosis, but they can also help you identify specific ways to treat your depressive symptoms. In particular, they can help you make behavioral and lifestyle changes as well as help you identify and change any cognitive thinking patterns that may be contributing to your symptoms. 


Please note: The information included in this article is meant for informational purposes only and is not meant to provide a diagnosis or treatment plan.

Want to see more in-depth content?

Explore Our Courses

Julia Hogan-Werner, LCPC

Julia Hogan-Werner is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in Chicago. In addition to her work as a psychotherapist, she leads workshops and writes on topics related to self-care, relationships, and mental health. Her book, "It's Ok to Start with You" is all about the power of embracing your worth and is available in the OSV Catholic Bookstore and on Amazon. She is passionate about empowering individuals to be their most authentic selves. You can learn more about Julia and her work at www.juliamariehogan.com/.

By clicking “Accept”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. View our Privacy Policy for more information.