When the Sun Isn’t Enough: Busting the Myths About Seasonal Affective Disorder (Part 1)

Updated: Nov 7

Ever notice your mood, focus, or motivation shift as the seasons change, even when you live somewhere sunny?

Maybe you feel more tired, less social, or find yourself craving comfort foods and quiet time.

And maybe you’ve even heard, “But you live in Florida! You can’t have Seasonal Affective Disorder.”

Here’s the truth: SAD doesn’t care what your zip code is.

It’s not just about how much sun you get, it’s about how your brain and body respond to changes in light, temperature, and rhythm.

Myth #1: Seasonal Affective Disorder only happens in dark, cold climates.

While people in northern regions may experience more severe light deprivation, SAD and sub-threshold seasonal mood changes can happen anywhere — even in tropical climates.

Why? Because our circadian rhythm (the internal clock that regulates hormones, mood, and sleep) depends on consistent exposure to natural daylight—especially morning light. Even in Florida, shorter daylight hours, earlier sunsets, and overcast winter skies shift our light cues. Add humidity, indoor living, or disrupted routines, and our nervous system can lose its natural rhythm.

Myth #2: It’s all in your head.

Actually, it’s in your hormones.

Seasonal shifts influence serotonin, melatonin, and vitamin D — all critical players in energy and emotional stability.

When light exposure decreases, melatonin (our sleep hormone) can stay elevated longer in the morning, making it harder to wake up and feel alert. Meanwhile, serotonin production drops, creating that heavy, “stuck” feeling many people describe during seasonal transitions.

Myth #3: If you’re neurodivergent, this is just “part of your wiring.”

Not exactly. Neurodivergent brains — especially autistic, ADHD, and highly sensitive ones — are more susceptible to environmental shifts.

That’s because we process sensory information and regulate energy differently.

What feels like a small shift to someone else: a dimmer sky, a few gray mornings, a sudden humidity spike — can completely throw off mood, energy, or focus for us.

In other words, you’re not broken — you’re just deeply attuned.

Learning to Dance with the Seasons

Our modern world teaches us to push through, stay productive, and override our body’s cues. But what if instead of resisting these shifts, we learned to partner with them?

Seasonal Affective Disorder invites us to slow down and pay attention — to track patterns, notice when energy wanes, and respond instead of react.

This is the first step toward living seasonally and intuitively — a dance between light and shadow, action and rest.

You can begin this dance by simply observing:

When do I feel most clear and energized during the year?
What months or seasons tend to feel heavy or foggy for me?
How do my body, sleep, and emotions shift as light changes?

This awareness is where healing begins.

Journaling Prompts for Self-Awareness

When do I notice my energy start to dip or shift?
What patterns do I see between my sleep, mood, and daylight exposure?
How do I typically respond to those low-energy seasons — do I push through, withdraw, or listen?

Gentle Resources for Support

Step outside within an hour of waking to reset your circadian rhythm.
Open curtains and let natural light in during the morning.
If you work indoors, consider a light therapy lamp (used with guidance if you have bipolar disorder or eye sensitivity).
Keep a consistent sleep schedule and nourish yourself with protein-rich, colorful meals.

The seasons are a rhythm — one your nervous system feels, whether you realize it or not.

When we slow down and honor these rhythms, we begin to reconnect with something deeper: the art of intuitive living.

This is not a journey you have to navigate alone.

Working with a therapist who understands neurodiversity, nutrition, and nervous system regulation can help you translate what your body is trying to say and find your way back to balance.

Yvette McDonald — “Your mood isn’t just a mindset — it’s a reflection of how your body dances with the light, the seasons, and the world around you.”

Yvette is a psychotherapist, Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), and Certified Mental Health and Nutrition Clinical Specialist (CMNCS) who takes a holistic, neuroscience-based approach to mental health. She believes in empowering individuals to understand their emotions, behaviors, and well-being through a combination of psychology, nutrition, and sustainable health habits. Through her wellness practice, Nourivida Wellness, she provides concierge mental health services for neurodiverse individuals, couples, and those seeking emotional growth.

Want to explore intuitive, seasonal living through a neurodivergent lens?

Learn more or schedule a session at Nourivida Wellness.