In the northern polar regions, the sun disappears below the horizon for weeks or even months during winter – a phenomenon known as the polar night. Everywhere north of the Arctic Circle, this prolonged darkness influences daily life, mood, and social interaction, sometimes subtly, sometimes quite noticeably. In Longyearbyen on Svalbard, where the polar night begins at the end of October, the town is currently in the midst of this dark season. Daily life changes perceptibly, becoming quieter, slower, and at the same time more communal. Streetlights, reflective vests, illuminated windows, and headlamps shape the townscape. It is a time without direct sunrise, affecting environment, body, and social dynamics alike – restorative for some, challenging for others.
Why does the polar night occur?
The polar night is not a weather phenomenon, but a direct consequence of the Earth’s axial tilt of about 23.44 degrees relative to the plane of its orbit around the sun (the ecliptic). During winter, the Northern Hemisphere is tilted away from the sun, meaning that regions north of the Arctic Circle receive no direct sunlight for a certain period. At the Arctic Circle this lasts about one day; on Svalbard, several weeks; at the North Pole, around 179 days.
A polar night also occurs in Antarctica during the southern winter, roughly from May to July. Research stations such as the American Amundsen–Scott Station at the South Pole are almost completely isolated during this time. This stands in clear contrast to inhabited Arctic settlements like Longyearbyen, where civilian daily life, work, and social activities continue despite the persistent darkness.
However, it is rarely completely dark. Diffuse scattered light, atmospheric refraction, and the strong reflection of snow and ice create a prolonged twilight during the day. Depending on weather conditions, midday light levels on Svalbard reach several hundred to occasionally over 1,000 lux – sufficient for orientation and outdoor activities, but usually insufficient to reliably stabilize the circadian rhythm, the body’s internal clock, as measurements at the University Centre in Svalbard show.
How does the polar night affect the internal clock?
The human circadian rhythm is largely synchronized by the natural light–dark cycle. During the polar night, this dominant light signal is absent. Measurements of melatonin rhythms in people living in the Arctic show a reduced amplitude – meaning lower hormone secretion – as well as phase shifts, acknowledging earlier or later release during the day, as demonstrated by studies from the University Centre in Svalbard. This helps explain why many people report increased daytime sleepiness and difficulty falling asleep.
In addition to biological factors, social influences play a central role: reduced daily structure, less outdoor activity, and fewer spontaneous social interactions can amplify these effects. Long-term residents often counteract this with fixed daily routines, regular physical activity, targeted use of artificial light such as full-spectrum lamps, and stable sleep schedules.
Does the polar night affect mental health?
Light-poor months in polar regions affect many people psychologically, usually in subtle ways. Population-based studies from Northern Europe suggest that during the darker winter months about one tenth of the population develops mild depressive symptoms, as described for example in review articles by Magnusson and Boivin. Commonly reported symptoms include reduced energy, lower motivation, sleep and concentration problems, and mental fatigue. Clinically manifest depression, however, remains the exception.
Long-term studies from the Polish research station Hornsund on Svalbard show that the mood of many researchers remains relatively stable throughout the polar night, as described among others by Temp et al. More stressful are often the transition phases, when light conditions and routines change abruptly. Researchers interpret this as an adaptation effect: as long as environmental conditions remain constant, people can adapt well. It is important to note that these studies examine small, healthy, and highly structured groups – their findings can only be transferred to civilian settlements to a limited extent.
Residents of Longyearbyen report similar but highly individual experiences. Many emphasize that conscious daily organization, social contact, and physical activity are crucial. Some people with a positive attitude toward the dark season even report increased well-being – an effect discussed in research as the “winter mindset.”
Another important factor is autonomy. In settlements like Longyearbyen, many people live in the polar night by conscious and voluntary choice. Those who actively choose this environment can deliberately structure their days, social interactions, and physical activity – and often cope better with the dark season than those with limited choice due to economic, social, or political constraints.
What role does community play during the dark season?
Community structures become more important during the polar night. In Longyearbyen, events such as Polar Night Week, film nights, concerts, or the Jul festival create fixed anchor points. A particularly special tradition is the annual Christmas tree ceremony: the village walks with torches to the abandoned Mine 2B, where, according to legend, Santa Claus lives. Children throw wish lists into a mailbox, after which everyone returns to the town center. There, people sing, dance, and drink gløgg together – a ritual that creates a sense of belonging and lends a romantic quality to the dark season.
Alcohol consumption is also discussed in Arctic regions. Reviews emphasize that social and structural conditions are often more decisive than light deprivation alone, as described for example in studies by Bjerregaard et al. In places like Longyearbyen, voluntary residence, social openness, and communal rituals can have a stabilizing effect. Community is often a protective factor here – while isolation and lack of daily structure increase risks.
Long-term residents who are well connected benefit most from these structures. Newcomers or temporary workers, on the other hand, experience the dark season more often as stressful – not because of darkness alone, but because of insufficient social integration.
What is true – and what is myth?
Myth 1: “Pitch-black for months.”
False. Twilight, moonlight, snow reflection, and auroras shape the light environment.
Myth 2: “Everyone becomes depressed.”
False. Sleep problems and fatigue occur more frequently, but mental illness does not automatically follow.
Myth 3: “You can’t do anything.”
False. Dog sledding, snowmobile tours, ice climbing, and walks are part of everyday life even during the polar night.
When the sun returns
On March 8, the sun returns to Longyearbyen. At first, its light touches the mountain slopes before reaching the houses – a moment many people await together outdoors. The Sun Festival marks the return of light: energy, drive, and a sense of renewal become palpable. Anyone who has experienced the polar night knows that it sharpens awareness of one’s own rhythms, strengthens community, and makes conscious daily structuring an essential tool for well-being.
Conclusion
The polar night affects biological rhythms, mental well-being, and social dynamics alike. Its impact is neither uniformly negative nor universally burdensome. Those who consciously engage with the dark season, maintain social structures, and pay attention to their own rhythms can draw stability and community from it – and experience the unique light and natural phenomena of the High North in an intense way.
Lisa Scherk, PolarJournal