Well-being in healthy Icelandic women varies with extreme seasonality in ambient light

Abstract

Seasonal variation in photoperiod may affect psychosocial and physical well-being in healthy persons. We tested this hypothesis in healthy pre-menopausal women, without a history of mood disorders, living year-round in Reykjavik, Iceland (64.1°N). Participants reported daily self-assessments of well-being throughout a complete ovulatory menstrual cycle in summer and/or winter (70% participated in both seasons). Scores for mood, cognitive acuity, social support, physical health and a composite of these four indicators were each significantly higher in summer than in winter (linear mixed effects models: p < .001 for each model); tiredness did not differ by season. The effect of season was not significantly changed by inclusion of body mass index and/or age as covariates. Some prior studies have been hampered by sparse time sampling, inattention to covariates and/or relying on recalled data. This is to our knowledge the first investigation to test the study hypothesis with daily real-time data spanning complete ovulatory menstrual cycles in each of two seasons. This dense sampling has revealed modest seasonal variation in well-being in healthy women. Daylength (sunlight exposure) is likely a major, but not necessarily sole, factor in these seasonal differences in well-being; temperature is likely less important given Iceland's relatively moderate (for its high latitude) seasonal temperature swings.

Keywords: Arctic; Photoperiod; Physical well‐being; Psychosocial well‐being; Seasonal differences.