Seasonal Affective Disorder is linked to decreased exposure to what?

• A. Noise
• B. Air
• C. Natural light
• D. Vitamin C

Answer: (C)

Seasonal Affective Disorder is tied to changes in daylight exposure. When days are shorter and natural light is scarce, the body’s circadian rhythm can become disrupted. Light signals detected by the retina send cues to the brain’s clock, which regulates melatonin production in the pineal gland. With less natural light, melatonin stays elevated for longer in the evenings, and serotonin levels that influence mood can drop, leading to depressive symptoms that are common in fall and winter. Increasing exposure to natural daylight or using bright light therapy that mimics daylight helps reset the circadian rhythm and can improve mood. Factors like noise, air, or vitamin C don’t have the same direct link to the seasonal mood changes seen in SAD.