Living in regions that have short daytime hours can cause some people to experience “S.A.D” (seasonal affective disorder) at some point. The article below from NPR explains, “Two recent studies suggest the culprit is a brain circuit that connects special light-sensing cells in the retina with brain areas that affect whether you are happy or sad.” So if you’ve ever felt a mood change as the days shorten, it isn’t something you’ve imagined, it could very well be a biological factor.
This year more than others, being at home more often likely impacted your emotional and consequently, physical well-being. Next week, we’ll explore S.A.D. in more detail.