Winter is linked to mental health risk
- 03 Jan
Charity Mental Health Research UK has found the dark winter months can lead to serious mental health problems.
Many find themselves leaving the house before sunrise and returning after sunset, and MHRUK have found that a lack of daily sunlight can lead to feelings of lethargy and depression, resulting in seasonal affective disorder (SAD).
The charity surveyed 2000 British adults and found that half were concerned that their workplace had little natural light, reports the Herald Scotland.
Almost one in ten surveyed said they had no access to natural light at all whilst at work.
Dr Laura Davidson, mental health barrister and trustee of MHRUK, said: "It is estimated that one million working hours are lost each year due to SAD. The common unhealthy work culture where lunch breaks are frowned upon is a likely contributor to the increasing numbers of SAD sufferers. Employers and educational establishments need to take on board just how important natural light is to good mental health. They have a responsibility to ensure that work and study environments have sufficient windows to flood the building with as much natural light as possible."
How much natural light do you get in winter? Do you feel it affects your mental health?
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Image source: http://www.sxc.hu/photo/1362421
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