{"id":20403,"date":"2017-12-04T15:29:08","date_gmt":"2017-12-04T15:29:08","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/thevoiceoflondon.co.uk\/?p=20403"},"modified":"2017-12-04T15:29:08","modified_gmt":"2017-12-04T15:29:08","slug":"diy-guide-to-brighten-up-your-winter-blues","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.westminster.ac.uk\/thevoiceoflondon\/diy-guide-to-brighten-up-your-winter-blues\/","title":{"rendered":"DIY guide to brighten up your winter blues"},"content":{"rendered":"

The subject of mental health in the UK is once again colouring this morning\u2019s headlines. A government pledge to offer better mental-health services and support to schools has been announced, assuring a maximum waiting-time of just four weeks. Seemingly, different forms of mental illness enclose the dark winter months of the year, often urging us to sink into a bitter-sweet or horrific melancholia. However, there are some efficient ways to fight it, without digging too deep into your pocket or quitting your job to make a move to a tropical destination. You’re welcome!\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

As to the BBC\u2019s report<\/a>, the NHS figures appoint that last year, in the UK, 1 in 10 girls aged 16-17 were referred to mental health specialists. Principally, about 50% of mental illnesses start prior to age 14. The government\u2019s plan consists of a tailored training program to school staff, a broad education of the topic for all ages, and a more efficient and quick access to mental health services for the pupils. The plan is estimated<\/a> to cost \u00a3300m.<\/p>\n

As we are diving into the darkest months of the year, we all conceivably seem to be more mood-alerted beneath our endless layers. Many of us suffer from a low mood throughout the winter months. It is unsurprisingly perhaps, when we look at the Sun\u2019s report<\/a> earlier in November, showing that Brits see \u201cless than 10 hours of daylight a week\u201d throughout the winter. Yet, for some of us this winter blues has an actual name: a Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).<\/p>\n

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Is it the most wonderful time of the year? Photo credit: Flickr<\/p><\/div>\n

As to Psychology Today\u2019s report<\/a>, SAD affects \u201capproximately 10% of individuals who live in climates that are less sunny\u201d. Among its symptoms are sadness, fatigue, concentration difficulties, low-energies, increased sensitivity, hypersomnia, weight gain, and negative thoughts. The actual causes for SAD are yet unknown, but the treatments vary.<\/p>\n

As a useful early Christmas treat for our readers, the Voice of London has gathered a DIY guide<\/strong> to brighten up the dark months of the year and to win over the winter blues.<\/p>\n

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Infographic: Adi Cohen<\/p><\/div>\n

Words: Adi Cohen | Subbing: Pamela Machado<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The subject of mental health in the UK is once again colouring this morning\u2019s headlines. A government pledge to offer better mental-health services and support to schools has been announced, assuring a maximum waiting-time of…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":476,"featured_media":20405,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[114],"tags":[889,1798,1885,4098,4191,5397,6939],"class_list":["post-20403","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-society","tag-blues","tag-depression","tag-diy","tag-mental-health","tag-mindfulness","tag-sad","tag-winter"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t