In France, the end of October rhymes with shorter and shorter days. In question, the time change which deprives us of precious minutes of brightness. This phenomenon is not without effect on our health. Did you know that more than four million French people suffered from seasonal depression ?
Between fatigue, disrupted sleep and depression linked to the change of season, our body is weakened. Follow our advice to face the shortest days with peace of mind!
The phenomenon of shortening of the days is totally natural. It is related to the inclination of the axis of rotation of the Earth with respect to the sun. In winter, the southern hemisphere of the earth enjoys strong sunshine and longer days, while the northern hemisphere experiences shorter days and very less sunshine. During the transition to winter time, if we gain an hour of sleep, we lose precious minutes of sunshine. Did you know that the abolition of this time change had been mentioned by the European Commission? In France, this idea was taken up in 2019 by the National Assembly and the project is still relevant.
When the days get shorter, the days become gray and gloomy, the night falls earlier and earlier and we then lose long minutes of natural sunlight. This source of energy is nevertheless vital for our body and helps to provide us with the energy necessary to face the day in peace. As a result, our body will secrete the hormone melatonin earlier than usual. Melatonin, better known as the sleep hormone, usually appears when falling asleep, when the light is very low.
Our brain will therefore need a little time to adapt in order to regulate our sleep cycle. Two or three days may be necessary to get used to and resume a normal cycle, as if nothing had happened! Inevitably, accumulated fatigue greatly weakens our body against seasonal viruses and bacteria, making us more vulnerable.
The lack of sunlight can have serious repercussions on our moral health. The sun is an inexhaustible source of vitamin D which is directly linked to the proper functioning of our body. Indeed, exposure to daylight stimulates the presence of serotonin in our body which manages our central nervous system. If the level of serotonin in the body decreases, negative effects on sleep and mood can quickly be felt.
A simple drop in energy or low morale can very quickly degenerate into a more serious disorder such as seasonal depression. It is to be dissociated from the blues that we all feel as winter approaches and can become very disabling on a daily basis. Do you feel significant discomfort that does not subside and your symptoms have persisted for more than two weeks? You may be suffering from seasonal depression. Don't let your problems take root over time and consult a health professional like our psychological assistance offered to our members.
The luminosity of the sun decreases sharply in winter and then goes to 500 lux. Did you know that for our body to run at full speed, the daily sun exposure recommendation was a minimum of 2,000 lux? How then to compensate for this decrease and its disastrous consequences for our body?
Have you considered light therapy ? This medical treatment consists of exposing oneself to light that reproduces that of the sun, for about 30 minutes daily. To fill up with vitamin D and regain energy, it is advisable to practice light therapy sessions in the morning for about a week. Place yourself 30 cm away from a lamp delivering between 5,000 and 10,000 lux. You can practice this therapy at home with a specific lamp, in a beauty salon or in a dedicated medical center. In addition to the benefits on seasonal depression recognized by the High Authority for Health (HAS), light therapy offers many virtues for the immune system and the healing process.
With the temperature differences and the decrease in light, the body is put to the test. It is therefore necessary to provide it with all the nutrients and vitamins it needs to regain vitality. Did you know that an unbalanced diet could lead to an increased risk of winter fatigue?
To reverse the trend, give your body a vitamin cure with:
WHO recommends regular physical activity lasting at least two and a half hours per week.
Sport, a source of well-being, can counter the negative effects of short winter days:
What are you waiting for to take up running or yoga?
Now you are ready to face the cold and the winter days while waiting for the summer solstice at the end of March!
