We are just over halfway through December and statistics released by the Royal Meteorological Institute (KMI) show that so far, the last month of the year has been dull to say the least. During the first 16 days of December 2024 there were just 6 hours and 11 minutes of sunshine at KMI’s Ukkel (Brussels) HQ. This compares with an average of 48 hours and 35 minutes during the whole of a normal December.
A dull start to December, just 6 hours and 11 minutes of sunshine since the beginning of the month
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The dull start to December follows a year in which there was no shortage of rainfall. Furthermore, since the start of September KMI has not recorded a single day with entirely clear skies above Ukkel.
During the autumn months this year there were 259 hours and 47 minutes of sunshine. This is well below the average of 332 hours and 52 minutes.
Seasonal depression
Some try to chase away the grey, dark days with Christmas lights. Kirsten Catthoor is a psychiatrist. She describes the somber mood felt by some of us around this time of year as a “winter plung” whereby are mood descends into feeling mildly gloomy.
She told VRT Radio 1 that “Winter depression or seasonal depression is a real condition that requires professional treatment, often with medication”
“It is caused by there being less daylight. We need a certain amount of light for our day-night rhythm. This ensures that the hormonal balance and neurotransmitters in the brain work properly”.
“The amount of daylight already starts to decrease at the end of the summer. Later in autumn and winter, psychological factors come into play: for example, if it is cold and raining, you have little desire to go outside. You have less light indoors and this can result in you becoming depressed”. Kirsten Catthoor adds that the festive seasons can also trigger depression among some as Christmas and New Year “are not a celebration” for many.
The best way to counter winter depression is to seek social contract with others and to get outside and enjoy the little sunlight that there is. Furthermore, we should “stay positive as after the winter comes the spring”.