Does Nice Weather Automatically Cure Seasonal Affective Disorder?

If you have seasonal affective disorder, you know its acronym, SAD, is fitting, as the condition tanks your mood, energy levels, and even your behavior during specific times of the year.

SAD usually occurs when the weather wanes in the colder, darker winter months, so it makes sense to assume that sunshine is the cure, but it’s not that simple.

Here, Lawrence Abah, PMHNP-BC, Pauline Bao Ling Soh, PA, and our mental health team at Holistic Behavioral & TMS Therapy address whether nicer weather, such as spring sunshine or summer heat, can automatically alleviate SAD.

What causes seasonal affective disorder?

SAD is a mood disorder that’s a subtype of depression. Symptoms appear when there’s a shift in available natural light, which disrupts your internal biological processes. Specifically, daylight affects serotonin levels, melatonin production, and your body’s circadian rhythm (sleep cycle), so when sunlight is scarce, it tinkers with your system. Here’s why:

Serotonin

SAD can decrease your levels of serotonin, a brain chemical tied to mood. Sunshine can help regulate serotonin, which may explain why many feel more upbeat in brighter seasons.

Melatonin

Melatonin helps you sleep, and it increases in darker seasons. Too much melatonin can result in fatigue or drowsiness if you have SAD.

Circadian rhythm

Shorter or longer days during specific seasons can throw off your sleep-wake cycle.

Though winter-onset makes up the majority of cases, SAD has a lesser-known sibling that occurs in summer, triggered by heat, overstimulation, and other pressures specific to warmer months. 

Common SAD symptoms 

SAD symptoms usually appear cyclically during certain seasons and might include:

• Persistent feelings of sadness or a low mood
• Fatigue and difficulty maintaining energy levels
• Changes in appetite and sleep patterns, including trouble sleeping or oversleeping
• Reduced interest in once-enjoyed activities
• General feelings of hopelessness or difficulty concentrating

Symptoms generally lessen once the triggering season ends, but don’t wait for the weather to change; we can help you manage SAD all year.

Can sunshine fix winter SAD? 

While sunshine often improves mood for some, it doesn’t universally “fix” SAD. Those with winter-specific SAD may still need more assistance than a simple sunny sky can provide. 

Like other forms of depression, SAD often involves brain chemical imbalances that require professional therapy, such as:

Light therapy

Exposure to full-spectrum light that imitates natural sunshine could help. You may find that simply sitting in front of a light box for 20-30 minutes a day alleviates your symptoms.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)

CBT helps you reframe negative thoughts and gives you practical tools to manage SAD mood shifts.

Antidepressant medications

Specific selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) can correct the chemical imbalances in your brain.

We also recommend making lifestyle changes, such as eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, and spending time outdoors.

Why doesn’t summer sunshine cure SAD for everyone? 

Warm weather and sunny skies don’t automatically bring happiness to everyone. Summer SAD illustrates how the opposite can happen.

Heat and humidity 

Extreme temperatures can drain you, decreasing your energy levels rather than enhancing them. Simple tasks like running errands can become physically exhausting in the heat. 

Sleep disruptions 

Longer daylight hours can lead to late-night exposure to stimulation (parties, concerts in the park, staying up with the sun), which delays rest and disrupts circadian rhythms. 

Allergies and inflammation 

Higher pollen counts during warm months can exacerbate allergic reactions and irritations. Alongside physical discomfort, inflammation from allergic rhinitis (also known as hay fever) can cause mood shifts. 

If you have summer SAD, keep your home cool, stick to a structured routine and bedtime, and consult our behavioral therapists.

Ultimately, while sunshine positively impacts serotonin and the spirit, it doesn’t address all aspects of SAD, both winter and summer varieties.

Feel better all year-round, rain or shine. Call Holistic Behavioral & TMS Therapy or schedule an appointment online. We offer in-person and telehealth services in Aurora and Chicago, Illinois, and Las Vegas, Nevada.