Here we go again. As winter creeps into Michigan, the skies darken, and gloomy grey clouds settle in for what seems like months at a time. According to the Farmers Almanac, Michigan is the 7th cloudiest state in America. Before we look at the cities in Michigan that get the most and fewest days of sunshine per year, let's talk about WHY we need it.

RELATED: SEASONAL DEPRESSION: Michigan is One of USA's SADdest States

According to a 2020 National Institute for Health (NIH) study, sunlight is your main source of Vitamin D, which (this is gonna sound like a cereal commercial) is essential for strong bones, heart health, and keeping our immune systems primed. So, basically, sunshine should be a part of every happy Michiganders day, even if we have to we must resort to artificial means to satisfy our body's need for for warm rays.

Michigan's Lack of Sunlight is a SAD Breeding Grounds

A hand touches a ray of light
Canva
loading...

Low sunlight also messes with our serotonin levels, often leading to Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). While the acronym fits, the disorder itself is, well, depressing. Think oversleeping, low energy, and cravings for carbs (comfort food is Michigan's Love Language).

Does any of that sound familiar? While some may just brush it off as "That's the way winter has always been in Michigan, so suck it up and 'Ope your way through another day!" others may want to find a way to battle the Winter SAD effects.

Tips for Avoiding SAD

A single ray of light is soaked in by a person
Canva
loading...

Light therapy, staying active, and chasing whatever bit of sunshine we can find are some of the ways that people cope. Others have found places to live in the Mitten State that offer more days of sun than others.

RELATED: State of Depression? Michigan SAD Ranking For Happiness in the US

While Michigan may only have the seventh fewest sunny days in the nation, some Mitten State cities get more than most. For a complete list, keep scrolling.

Michigan Cities Getting the Most (And Least) Sunlight Annually

CurrentResults' recent study calculated the annual days 8 Michigan cities spend with sunshine by classifying Sunny Days as those when clouds cover up to 30% of the sky and Partly Sunny days as those with clouds covering between 31% and 70% of the sky. By adding these two figures together, they were able to determine which Michigan cities get the most and least sunshine annually.

Gallery Credit: Scott Clow

Ranking States For Seasonal Affectiveness Disorder Vulnerability

MattressNextDay has put their well-rested minds to good use, gathering data on what's keeping people from resting as they deal with depression-like symptoms. Dreary and sunless days, rain, and low temperatures are all contributors to seasonal affective disorder. Discover which state is most likely to be impacted by S.A.D. as we count down from 50 to #1.

Gallery Credit: Scott Clow

More From 99.1 WFMK