Does the cold make people sadder?  And lazier?

Does the cold make people sadder? And lazier?


Understand how the drop in temperatures interferes with our emotional state

on the eve of winter and with temperatures already dropping, we’ve started to notice some changes, like more hunger and sleep. Is that the cold causes major changes in metabolism, as shown in this infographic.

But the drop in temperature is able to interfere with ours too emotional stateleading to a increased feeling of sadness? The answer is yes.

Because of low light characteristic of colder days, people may feel more disconsolate AND stressed out at that time of year. Studies show that, in Very cold countrieswhere the days are very short or people spend up to six months in the dark, there is a highest rate of depression in the population.

“This happens because of seasonal affective disorder. Light has an antidepressant effect, as it improves the regulation of the release of hormones, especially the serotonin and melatonin axis,” says Eduardo Perin, a psychiatrist specializing in sexuality at the Instituto Paulista de Sexualidade (InPaSex). .

These two hormones are directly related to our mood. Additionally, “excessive cold also causes stress, which ends up contributing to a depressive state,” says Perin.

The decrease of physical activities Comes from social life, as we tend to spend more time indoors in the cold, they contribute even more to the onset of melancholy. Therefore, making an extra effort to exercise and make an appointment with friends can be a way to ward off discouragement.

Also impact on libido

Lack of enthusiasm can end up disturbing the sex life. According to Perin, there are studies showing that the cold alters the release of sex hormones, like testosterone, which works according to the circadian rhythm – it is regulated by light or its absence. However, “the libido is not built only from sex hormones,” emphasizes the doctor.

To be more willing to have sex in the cold, it’s important to practice physical exercises, as they help release serotonin and endorphins, hormones that cause a feeling of well-being. Keeping your space warm can also help you overcome the fear of taking off your clothes, another major barrier against the cold.

What about laziness?

In summer, as the days are longer, sunnier and there is a tendency to do more outdoor activities, the body is more stimulated for daily activities, which require energy and acceleration of the metabolism. Already in the cold, when the days are shorter, cloudy and we spend more time at home, we feel like “hibernating”. After all, since there is less light and heat, the body tends to maintain the state of conservation of energy and takes longer to gear up. That’s why we get “lazier” in cold weather.

You can also try to avoid laziness in winter, but for this you need to maintain a routine. In this way, going to bed, eating and doing other activities at the same time always gets your body used to it and is less affected by external influences.

Source: Terra

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