SAD affects two million people in the UK every year - but there are ways to manage it
There is no denying the chill in the air and, with the clocks going back soon, the shorter, colder days can bring low moods, depression and feelings of isolation – or, in other words,Not just the winter blues, SAD is a recognised condition that affects two million people in the UK every year. “SAD is a type of depression that surfaces during the autumn and winter months,” says.
Here, a range of health experts share simple tricks on how to prevent SAD before it takes hold, so you can thrive until spring…“In order to prevent SAD, it is important to focus on the things that are in your control. Try to get as much daylight as possible to reset your circadian rhythms. Maintain a regular schedule that includes activities you enjoy as a way to keep you motivated. Try to do something that you enjoy every day and make this a non-negotiable part of your self-care.
“While no single food can cure SAD, a balanced diet rich in specific nutrients can help support mood and overall wellbeing. For example, fatty fish such as salmon, mackerel, sardines and trout are an excellent source of Omega-3 fatty acids, which are known for their role in boosting brain health, regulating mood and reducing symptoms of depression.
“Treat yourself to a couple of new lamps at home and a good reading light. The changing light of autumn means we have to return to artificial lighting to feel brighter in ourselves. If you particularly suffer getting going in the morning, a SAD light may be the best investment, as it is believed to encourage the brain to increase the production of serotonin and decrease the production of melatonin, which is vital to keep your mood lifted on dark gloomy days.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Jet lag disorder associated with shift work can lead to brain changes increasing appetiteScientists have uncovered why night shift work is associated with changes in appetite in a new University of Bristol-led study. The findings, published in Communications Biology, could help the millions of people that work through the night and struggle with weight gain.
Read more »
Police raise concerns over Newcastle United Stack 'fan zone'Northumbria Police is worried a 3,000-capacity venue outside St James' Park will lead to disorder.
Read more »
Study sheds light on rare genetic disorder and blood cancersIn a study, published in American Journal of Hematology, Mayo Clinic researchers examined telomere biology disorders, a group of rare genetic disorders characterized by short telomeres.
Read more »
Exploring the ribosome–depression linkA group of ribosomal protein genes connect animal models of depression to human patients with major depressive disorder. In order to research depression treatments, scientists use a mouse model, inducing a state with similarities to depression though exposure to variable, unpredictable, and uncontrolled stressors over days or weeks. But is this state molecularly akin to what humans with major depressive disorder experience?
Read more »
The impact of OCD is costing the UK more than £5 billion a year, new research revealsThe effects of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) create an economic burden to the U.K. totaling a staggering £5 billion, a new study titled 'A cost-of-illness analysis of the economic burden of obsessive-compulsive disorder in the United Kingdom' and published in Comprehensive Psychiatry has concluded.
Read more »
Vaccines against COVID-19, the seasonal flu and RSV are our best chance of preventing a winter surge, says researcherAs cold and flu season ramps up, health care experts are once again on high alert for the possibility of a tripledemic, or a surge brought on by the respiratory viruses that cause COVID-19, the flu and respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV. The good news is that this year, health officials have more tools at their disposal to combat them.
Read more »