Colder months and shorter days can make loneliness feel heavier. Less sunlight, more time indoors, and fewer social gatherings can amplify feelings of isolation or numbness. Research shows that seasonal changes can affect mood and energy, which may increase sadness or disconnection for some people.

If this winter has felt especially hard, you’re not alone.

Most people with SAD experience symptoms of depression during the fall and winter, but it can also appear in the spring and summer. SAD is associated with symptoms of depression such as feeling down, sleeping a lot, restlessness, changes in appetite, feeling low energy or sluggish, and more.