The reduction in daylight hours and the schedule change on October 31 will make us more fractious, anxious and less attentive. Even with the onset of winter nearly a third of the population will have less sex.
To combat the winter blues, known in other European countries as "Winter Blues", more than half of the English looking for a getaway to a warm and sunny destination in the middle of winter.
On Sunday October 31 will the change of time (at 3:00 in the morning, the clock will change to 2:00) that marks the "feel" of entry into the winter and we associate with reduced daylight hours. But how does this change affect our schedule? Do you really have a negative impact on our day to day? This is what emerges from the study of the "winter blues" developed by Canary Islands Tourism, the only place in our country who do not have this melancholy when winter comes. The study was conducted through surveys of 1,000 people in Spain and has enjoyed the cooperation and advice of the Clinical Psychologist and Sexologist Look Larrazabal.
According to the results, shorter days and longer nights directly affect our personality. In fact, according to Look Larrazabal "the reduced hours of light can have clear negative effects on people. If the level of incidence of these effects is mild we can get through more easily but if confluence of several symptoms and high grade, then we can even talk about seasonal affective disorder. "
All these symptoms are caused by the intensity of daylight, which directly affects our circadian rhythms (the people who are sensitive to this decline are not able to follow a strict rhythm of 24 hours), levels of serotonin (who suffer a fall in the absence of light ) and the secretion of melatonin (which is released in response to darkness). So when there is less light the balance of these components are altered and displayed the symptoms of "winter blues.", which the Europeans called Winter Blues.
To overcome it, experts advise sport, leisure, open air and light. And of course, enjoy some winter holidays in warm destinations, which already do more than half of the English.
How can we recognize the "winter blues"?
According to the results of the study, one of the main symptoms mentioned by the respondents is the increase of sadness or apathy. In particular, 7 out of 10 states that when there are fewer daylight hours feel more sad. Although in general all respondents agree, it seems that the younger (16 to 34 years) are more sensitive to the time change (it says 70%) higher than 55 years (50%).
But beyond the sadness, there are other symptoms that also we can find when it enters the harsh winter, decay, lack of energy, fatigue, difficulty performing daily tasks, irritability, inter alia the scope of the couple. 34% of respondents (both men and women) recognize that when we change the time and there is less light is more surly with your partner. And in fact, almost one third of the population admits to having less sex when enter the winter and there is less light.
"Among the most common symptoms found in this period is a certain anxiety, sleep disorders, weight gain because we tend to eat more carbohydrates and chocolate, difficulty concentrating and irritability. In short, it affects areas related to our social life, work and family, "said Miren Larrazabal.
In the same vein, one of the symptoms mentioned by the respondents is the lack of concentration. Specifically, 50% recognize that when we change the time perform less well in their day to day. Again, it is young (50%) compared to the elderly and women (5 of 10 vs. 4 of 10 men) to those most affected. Look
But as said, "it is symptoms that, unlike other types of disorders have a clear seasonal component. They usually begin in the fall, winter and disappear worsen with the onset of spring. "
Why are the symptoms?
The onset of symptoms related to the "winter blues" is closely linked to several factors:
- Sex: Women are more likely to suffer. In fact, among the women surveyed, 74% admit to feeling more sad when there is less light compared to 63% of men.
- Latitude: Since the amount of light varies depending on the latitude in which they live (the higher the incidence according to live closer to the poles).
- Season: autumn appears, worse in winter for completion in early spring / summer. It takes approximately 5 months.
Tips for overcoming the "winter blues"
The time change and the reduction of hours of light will have an effect on people, but there are several ways to combat it. In the words of Larrazabal Look, "the winter blues is something that we know exists, but we can not succumb to it. Opt to take a vacation in a warm and sunny destination in the middle of winter, activities at sea or outdoors or set up pleasurable activities such as walking, laughing, give us a relaxing treatment or hanging out with family and friends are very effective prescriptions at the time of combat. "
In line with these comments, results show that the preferred option for 50% of respondents to cope with the winter blues is to travel to a warm destination and light to enhance their intimate relationships in winter and combat the sadness and apathy characteristic of this season. Other options mentioned have been a romantic dinner (29%) and a movie with a partner (21%).
About Canary Islands Canary Islands has launched a campaign Tourism promotion for this winter, which aims to invite all Spaniards to live in a warm winter in the archipelago and fight there called "winter blues." Thus, Canary Islands is backing a different way of promoting tourism, ever since the human and emotional side and looking once again reach out to the tourists to provide a unique experience in the Islands.
For this, the Canary Islands with an offer tailored to the needs and tastes of every tourist who goes beyond the sun and beach tourism based on the Family, Volcano Tourism and Nature Tourism Welfare and Health Tourism and Water Sports.
This new campaign, which will run in addition to Germany, UK and will be supported by an advertising campaign in 10 other European countries, continues the started last year in Europe, "We share our fortune. Say No To Winter Blues. "
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