When the weather gets colder and the skies get darker, it seems as if our minds get as foggy as the streets outside. Many people experience SAD, appropriately named Seasonal Affective Disorder. This means that with the different seasons comes a new mental state. In the spring and summer, the bright greens and shining sun bring smiles to our faces and warmth to our hearts. However, in the dead of winter, people oftentimes find themselves in a frozen slump. This makes sense because our bodies are working harder to keep our immune system up and fight bacteria. This is also why sickness spreads so much in the winter. Feeling sick can result in feeling down, and not wanting to go out and do anything. It’s been proven that time outdoors brings out the best in people, and even seeing good weather through the window or a picture  can bring up someone’s mood(Mercola, 2016).

As it’s hard to go outside without turning into a human popsicle, it makes sense why everyone is so sad. The school nurse, Heather Smith, says that many people have come in and out since winter started, mostly with colds. Plus, more students miss school in the winter months than during any other season.

Funny enough, this works both ways. In the hotter months, people tend to be more irritable and angry. In fact, crime rates everywhere go up immensely in the summer, according to the Department of Justice.

However, to keep away from the billowing blues in the winter, make sure to get enough vitamins and minerals in your body and plenty of sleep. Turning up the heat in homes will also keep away illness, helping people stay in their best state of mind throughout all the craziness of life.