While “Blue Monday” briefly puts low mood in the spotlight each January, clinicians warn that February is when seasonal depression often hits hardest. That’s when daylight deprivation accumulates and motivation dips further. New research suggests the burden is felt unevenly, particularly among women.

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A recent study highlighted that nearly 45% of women experience symptoms consistent with SAD as opposed to only 28% of men. While women are more frequently affected and report more severe symptoms, the research also makes clear that men are suffering too – it is just much less diagnosed, or more often missed. 

“The latest research shows seasonal mood changes are strongly linked to how reduced daylight affects circadian timing and neurotransmitter regulation in the brain. These biological shifts can occur even without clinical depression, which is why early, preventative support is often more effective than waiting for symptoms to escalate,” explains Dr. Kultar Singh Garcha, NHS GP and Chief Medical Officer at Flow Neuroscience.

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Higher vulnerability in women is found to be linked to a combination of biological sensitivity to light changes, hormonal, and circadian rhythm factors. In addition to social pressures, such as caregiving responsibilities, stress can intensify during the winter months.

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Though fewer men are formally diagnosed with SAD, the research shows this does not reflect lower levels of distress.

Instead, men often express seasonal depression in ways that are less likely to be identified as such. They may experience increased irritability, emotional withdrawal, and higher substance use, as opposed to only a low mood. Coupled with a reduced likelihood of seeking help, men’s seasonal depression is frequently underreported and underdiagnosed, rather than absent, Kultar adds.

According to a study published in The European Journal of Public Health, the percentage of people who suffer from SAD in the EU reaches up to 8% of the total population.

“Although men and women differ in the number of sufferers and how they exhibit their symptoms, it is evident that large numbers of people continue to experience symptoms annually,” says Dr. Hannah Nearney, clinical psychiatrist and UK Medical Director at Flow Neuroscience. “We should accept that our mood and energy will reflect adaptive biological responses to environmental conditions, but there are tools we can all employ to lessen the severity of said symptoms.”

• Sunlight exposure: Spending one hour and thirty minutes per day in outdoor light is associated with a lower depression risk, according to a study featured in Translational Psychiatry.
• Nutrition: Low intake of key nutrients such as vitamin D has been found to be associated with poorer mood in the winter months. Incorporating this vitamin, either through natural or supplemental means, makes a difference in enhancing mood during winter.
• Regular exercise: Many studies highlight that exercise helps regulate circadian rhythms and supports serotonin activity to improve mood.
• Sleep consistency: Irregular bedtimes and oversleeping can compound in such a way as to worsen fatigue and low mood, according to a Nature study. Setting proper, regular sleep and wake-up schedules helps combat this.
• Social connection: Research shows that social isolation has harmful effects on mental health. Therefore, during the winter months, it is encouraged to keep up a social life in whatever way you feel comfortable to avoid these effects of isolation.

“To those experiencing seasonal depression, it is recommended to use the above tools and practices to instill them in your life by way of small, repeatable actions rather than dramatic lifestyle overhauls. Prioritising these in such a way can help restore balance. More and more people are shifting to technological tools such as brain stimulation, too. We’re expanding the toolkit to treat SAD as we speak,” Dr. Nearney concluded.

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About Flow Neuroscience

Flow Neuroscience is a healthcare company that focuses on tDCS therapies and devices. In 2016, it was co-founded in Sweden by Daniel Mansson, a clinical psychologist, and Erik Rehn, an engineer. Erin Lee joined as CEO in 2022, having previously worked at Google, Ube,r and Babylon, and the company is now based in the UK. Flow is the only at-home medical tDCS device with clinically proven effectiveness in treating depression, approved in all major markets: by the American Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the UK’s National Health Service (NHS), the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), and having passed regulations in Europe, Norway, Switzerland, and Hong Kong.