Sunlight stimulates the hypothalamus (in the brain), which regulates the body's internal sleep-wake clock, the circadian rhythm. Lots of people get very depressed during the winter months, and although there is no hard evidence as yet to support it, research points to lack of light as the main contributor. I know that for myself I start overeating in mid-October (craving high-carbohydrate and high-calorie comfort food). I also tend to withdraw socially even more than during the other seasons.
Sunlight stimulates the hypothalamus (in the brain), which regulates the body's internal sleep-wake clock, the circadian rhythm. Lots of people get very depressed during the winter months, and although there is no hard evidence as yet to support it, research points to lack of light as the main contributor. I know that for myself I start overeating in mid-October (craving high-carbohydrate and high-calorie comfort food). I also tend to withdraw socially even more than during the other seasons.
