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Learning about external factors affecting human behavior, like geographical location, helps understand their effects on a person's mental well-being.

Seasonal affective disorder or SAD, a subtype of depression linked to diminished sunlight, impacts nearly 13 million adults, with symptoms such as low mood and heightened anxiety surfacing in the fall and persisting through the winter months due to earlier darkening skies and decreasing temperatures.

The precise origins of SAD remain elusive, but experts suggest a connection to the influence of darkness on the circadian rhythm -- the body's internal clock. Limited exposure to daylight can lead to a reduction in mood-enhancing hormones like serotonin and disrupt the body's production of melatonin, a hormone crucial for regulating sleep.

States where SAD is most prominent

SAD disproportionately affects Americans residing in Alaska, New York, and Washington compared to their counterparts in states like Arizona. Researchers attribute this disparity to multiple factors, including the average amount of sunlight during winter, temperature variations, and precipitation levels. 

A study conducted by MattressNextDay identified Alaska as the riskiest state for SAD, citing its exceptionally cold temperatures, averaging 26.8 degrees Fahrenheit (-2.9 degrees Celsius) during winter, and minimal sunlight, with just 358 hours over the winter period. New York and Washington followed closely in susceptibility, with factors like limited sunlight at only 42% in New York and a scarcity of clear days contributing to the prevalence of SAD.

Conversely, states such as Arizona, Nevada and New Mexico exhibited a lower likelihood of SAD due to milder temperatures and reduced rainfall. Arizona, for instance, boasted an average fall temperature of approximately 61.3 degrees Fahrenheit (16.3 degrees Celsius) and minimal winter rainfall. This comprehensive analysis shed light on the geographical variations influencing the prevalence of Seasonal Affective Disorder across the United States.