Snow? Some need it says Prof. Chu

Real or fake, UW-Green Bay’s Assistant Prof. Alan Chu (Psychology) says some people generally are happier when they have snow for the holidays. “It’s really depending on the individual,” said Chu. “Where they grew up and their family tradition as well.”

He said in a story for Fox 11, that although many associate Christmas with snow, it tends to have the opposite effect on people.

“Seasonal Effective Disorder, I don’t think it’s that much about the snow. It’s more about the temperature. It gets low and people stay indoors most of the time. People have less social contact,” he said. “For places that have warmer winters, the depression rate is actually a little lower.”