Numerous Danes have throughout their life experienced symptoms of season-affected mood swings to some degree. Whether it is a full-blown winter depression, which hits about 10% of the population, or less severe winter sadness, most Danes can surely agree on the fact that northern winter can be a hard time to get through. In this article, The Copenhagen Post will try to warn the internationals, some of whom may come from brighter and warmer places, about what they can expect in these dark times, and how they may be affected emotionally.

Darkness brings tiredness 

The dark times have now made their entrance in Denmark, and Danes and expats alike are probably longing towards feeling the sun on their faces once more. However, we still have about 3 months until spring arrives, and until then we have to face the short days and long nights. For many people, this period is often characterized by an uneasy feeling of melancholy, sadness, fatigue, or even full-blown depression. All of these negative feelings can be put under the catch-all term “winter depression”, a common term in Danish society that is both prevalent amongst and understood by the people of this northern land. 

“Winter depression” describes many different types of feelings fluctuating in severity, and while it may sound serious, often it is not. Things like feeling especially tired due to the ever-present darkness of Denmark, being melancholy due to the harsh climate or just being affected by the lack of sun are all aspects that can be attributed to what is commonly described as “winter depression”.

There are multiple theories about the causes of winter depression. However, among experts, it is agreed that especially the lack of sunlight is one of them. Sunlight significantly impacts mental well-being, influencing how individuals perceive and interact with their surroundings. The warmth of the sun’s rays and the basic comfort of being outside are key factors. During Denmark’s winter months, the lack of sunlight often leads to fatigue and tiredness, which play a critical role in shaping the emotional experiences of its residents.

However, winter depression is not only caused by the mental strain that prolonged darkness causes, as a physiological explanation also plays a part. Specifically, experts have pointed to the production of serotonin and noradrenaline, which is weakened during the winter, as the main cause. Both of these important substances are, in layman’s terms, essential for regulating a person’s mood. The lack of production of serotonin, noradrenaline as well as melatonin, can cause effects of fatigue and symptoms like those of mild depression. 

What can you do?

While winter depression, or winter sadness, can cause serious troubles for the individual, most people who experience melancholy in the winter months won’t have to seek help. Positive habits like a good diet, exercise, and seeing friends and loved ones, have always been good ways to curb melancholy as much as possible. Besides, the Christmas season is a perfect time to surround oneself with good company and huddle up together just as the people of the north have done for millennia. 

However, while many cases of season-affected melancholy can be treated with healthy habits, some are more severe and need real attention from the afflicted individuals. If one experiences depression-like symptoms such as sleep difficulties, apathy, anxiety, and antisocial behavior, it may be wise to look for help.

One of the treatments that have been shown to help people with winter depression is light therapy, which subjects the individuals to periods of high-volume light as strong as that of the sun in spring. This treatment has been shown to help with the symptoms that individuals with winter depression suffer from and correlates with the previously mentioned lack of serotonin and noradrenaline.

Other treatments include traditional therapy and psychological-attention

However, while the winter is still upon us, and may be hard for the newly arrived expat, one can look forward to the sun once again visiting Denmark in just a couple of months.