Waiting for Spring: A Talk on Winter Depression

Hello, everyone.
I am Mashako Haruno, a researcher on the difficulties of living.

Last March, I wrote an article like this.

In this article,

"The arrival of spring is also a farewell to winter depression."

That is what I wrote.

And once again, I am suffering from winter depression this winter.

It is said that the main cause of winter depression is the decrease in daylight hours, but it is truly painful.

My body feels heavy and sluggish, my appetite increases, and I experience hypersomnia.
I end up sleeping way too much.
Even though I don't really want to sleep that much, my body just won't move.

I am sure there are many people suffering from these symptoms.

But if we can get through this February, it will be March.
Spring will definitely come.

For those of you who are struggling right now, please don't force yourself to try hard; just try to get through the present moment.
Struggling against it is counterproductive.
If you are sleepy, it is okay to sleep as much as time allows.

In my case, the sleepiness is better than it was last year.
Last year, no matter how much I slept, I was still sleepy.
I even felt like the time I spent sleeping was a waste.

But this year, I don't have the symptoms of hypersomnia.
And I am not suffering from extreme insomnia either.
I am maintaining a just-right amount of sleep.

So, just because you are suffering now doesn't mean you will suffer again next year.
But the opposite can also be true.
I don't think it is good to get caught up in the ups and downs.
For now, let's just wait for the arrival of spring.

If it is truly unbearable, try to soak up as much sunlight as possible.
Being in a room where you have to turn on the lights even during the day is out of the question.
(That's me)

Today, I, Mashako Haruno, who is currently suffering from winter depression, have brought this to you for those who are also struggling with it.

(I used voice input and AI to create this article)

For the background on why I call myself a researcher of life's difficulties, please see here.

These are my goals for this year as a researcher of life's difficulties.

Thank you for adding this to your magazine.

Hiiro-san

Towa-san

YeKu-san

Soraneko-san