Seasonal affective disorder lifted for glorious three-day stretch

Illustration by Cara Seccafien

My serotoninā€¦ My serotonin!

By Isabelle Orr, Entertainment Editor

 

Thanks to a recent bout of startlingly good weather, Vancouverā€™s citywide depression has been momentarily lifted.

Other Press reporters spoke to sociologist Mary Fraser to explain the welcome phenomenon.

ā€œYou might not have noticed, but before March, the sun was setting at about 2 pm every single day,ā€ Fraser said. ā€œThe entirety of the local Vancouver area was affected by this. People were talking three-hour-long ā€˜power napsā€™ in the middle of the day, sleeping on piles of clean and dirty laundry, and watching episode after episode of Terrace House.

Then one crucial thing changedā€”a glimpse of the sun.

ā€œPeople all across Vancouver have noted that they have more energy, happiness, and all-around ā€˜good vibes.ā€™ Iā€™m hearing that citizens are busting out the jean shorts, frisbees, and listening to some Sublime deep cuts. They also report throwing the ā€˜hang looseā€™ symbol up at least nine percent more,ā€ Fraser said.

Many residents confirmed Fraserā€™s findings with their own anecdotes.

ā€œEver since the sun came out, Iā€™ve been feeling like thereā€™s a light at the end of the tunnel,ā€ Vancouver resident Luke Brown told Other Press reporters. ā€œWhen it was cloudy and cold out, I spent most of my days thinking about how one day Iā€™ll cease to exist and Iā€™ll have made no mark on this giant floating sphere we call Earth. But now that itā€™s over 12 degrees, Iā€™ve found my will to live again!ā€

Other Vancouverites such as Kelley Chang were looking forward to the future.

ā€œI canā€™t wait until every day has an adequate amount of sunlight,ā€ Chang said to press. ā€œIā€™ll finally have a reason to drag myself out of bed and enjoy the wonders of the natural world. Ever since last October Iā€™ve been living in my bedroom, never showering or doing any laundry whatsoever, and DoorDashing sushi right to my window. Itā€™s nice to feel the sun instead of the sting of wasabi. Though now that I think about it, theyā€™re pretty similar.ā€

However, Fraser cautioned, this climatological alleviation is only temporary.

ā€œThis is only a taste of whatā€™s to come,ā€ Fraser reminded reporters. ā€œRemember, we have about one and a half months of this before the smoke from forest fires roll in, obliterating the sun completely and forcing us to wear gas masks outside. Try and store as much serotonin as you can before fall rolls around. I suggest canning or jarring it.ā€

As Other Press reporters were speaking to Fraser, clouds rolled across the sun and gave her skin a grey hue and her eyes a dull, listless expression.

ā€œOr donā€™t do anything,ā€ Fraser said. ā€œWho cares? It doesnā€™t matter anyway. God, Iā€™m a disappointment to my parents.ā€