In a recent WUSA9 segment, GW Professor of Psychiatry Dr. Daniel Lieberman explains why you may feel lower energy in the winter months.
“What really matters the most for the human brain is the light. Our brains are so sensitive to light. And so, our moods can dip when we have bad weather, or even more when the days start to get shorter, as we move into the fall and winter.” Getting enough sunlight and fresh air is paramount in maintaining your mental health during this season. “
In addition to getting outside, Dr. Lieberman suggested ways to stay positive this holiday season amid the pandemic. Focusing on giving and ways to help others provide a sense of joy and purpose. This can lift our spirits, especially when we are missing others. Writing a note to a relative about what you enjoy at the holidays or ways you are thinking of them, can be just as rewarding for the writer as it is for the recipient.
