In winter, as temperatures begin to fall, many people also feel their mood sinking. The combination of darkness, cold, and never-ending grey oppresses the spirit. Here you can find out all about winter depression and how to avoid falling into a pit of depression.
20.11.2024 | 2 minutes reading time
Author:
Content-Team SWICA
Are you feeling tired even though you had a good night’s sleep? Do you lack energy and drive even though you are well rested? Furthermore, you also don't really feel like socialising?
All of these can be symptoms of the winter blues, caused by a lack of natural daylight, reduced light intensity, falling temperatures and shorter days in winter. The medical explanation is that because of the lack of daylight the body produces less serotonin (the “happiness” hormone) and more melatonin (the “sleep” hormone). This change in the metabolism can knock the body out of kilter.
Countering the winter blues
You can re-establish a healthy balance by spending more time out of doors, even in bad weather. Even the cloudiest day has more light than a brightly lit interior. Exercise will also give your metabolism a boost, and social contact will help you forget the winter blues. "Arrange to meet for a coffee or speak to your loved ones regularly by phone", recommends Dr Silke Schmitt Oggier, Medical Director at santé24. This should help to lift your mood."
Treating winter depression
If winter blues symptoms are unusually strong and persistent, they are often referred to as winter depression or seasonal affective disorder (SAD). If you have these symptoms, you should consult a doctor.
Arrange to meet for a coffee or speak to your loved ones regularly by phone.
Dr Silke Schmitt Oggier, Medical Director at santé24
One standard component in the treatment of winter depression (regardless of its severity) is light therapy, in which the person affected sits for about half an hour per day in front of a special therapy lamp (many times stronger than a normal lamp). This provides them with the light they need. Light therapy is usually used in combination with psychotherapy and pharmacotherapy (treatment with medication).
Psychological counselling
Worried and anxious? SWICA offers its customers free psychological counselling from doctors and psychologists at the santé24 telemedicine service. Call santé24 on +41 44 404 86 86 86 to arrange an appointment.
For your health: santé24 and SWICA Benecura
Do you have a health question? Our physicians and healthcare professionals at santé24 are available 24/7 on +41 44 404 86 86 for SWICA customers. In addition to telephone health advice, patients whose conditions are appropriate for telemedicine can receive medical services such as diagnostics, treatment, and even e-prescriptions for prescription medications.
Do you feel ill? The SWICA Benecura medical app makes it easy to carry out a digital SymptomCheck. You will receive a personal recommendation about what to do next. Send your information in encrypted form to the santé24 online practice for your telephone consultation to significantly shorten the assessment.
