While ‘Blue Monday’ draws brief attention to low moods in January, clinicians warn that February can hit harder for those with seasonal depression, as daylight deprivation accumulates and motivation dips. New research suggests women are particularly affected.

A recent study published in the International Journal of Global Mental Health, Innovation, Policy, Action, Culture & Transformation found that nearly 45% of women experience symptoms consistent with seasonal affective disorder (SAD), compared with 28% of men. While women report more frequent and severe symptoms, men are also affected, often undiagnosed due to differences in how symptoms manifest.

“The latest research shows seasonal mood changes are strongly linked to how reduced daylight affects circadian timing and neurotransmitter regulation in the brain… early, preventative support is often more effective than waiting for symptoms to escalate,” said Dr Kultar Singh Garcha, a General Practitioner (GP) in the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) and Chief Medical Officer at Flow Neuroscience.

Women’s higher vulnerability is linked to biological sensitivity to light, hormonal, and circadian factors, and winter-related social stress. Men may experience irritability, withdrawal, or increased substance use rather than low mood, which contributes to underreporting.

According to Dr Hannah Nearney, Clinical Psychiatrist and UK Medical Director at Flow Neuroscience, “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.” She added that “there are tools we can all employ to lessen the severity of said symptoms”.

Practical strategies include daily sunlight exposure, maintaining nutrient intake (notably vitamin D), regular exercise, consistent sleep routines, and social connection. Dr Nearney added: “Prioritising these can help restore balance. More people are shifting to technological tools such as brain stimulation, too.”

Nearly seven in 10 UK employees pretend to be well at work when they are not, according to research conducted by Censuswide on behalf of Lime Health.