As the UK braces for a stressful and cold winter, millions of people will be battling with the winter blues. According to the National Health Service, an estimated 2 million people in Britain are affected by seasonal affective disorder (SAD) each year, and the condition can affect immune function. Its symptoms include lethargy, overeating, irritability, and feeling down and unsociable. The disorder can also cause sleeping problems and depression. What makes it all the more worrying, according to experts, is the fact approximately 20% of the British population showed symptoms of depression in 2014, and these figures have not gone down. Adding this to the number of people with SAD puts us at risk of a mental health crisis. However, by taking simple steps to improve our immune health, we can battle the winter blues.
Boosting The Immune System During Wintertime
The National Health Service recognises the need for a better immune response during winter, and notes on its NHS Inform website that it is important to eat a healthy and balanced diet to stave off depression. Vegetables, in particular, contribute to better immune function, as they have been found to produce certain chemicals that not only encourage optimal immune response, but also makes the body and the mind feel good. Based on several studies published in the UK, depression and stress can have a negative impact on a person’s immunity, which is why eating healthy food is a good prevention measure to ensure that the body can fight off viruses, even during stressful times. Eating vegetables and taking essential nutrients and vitamins can also boost a person’s mood, making healthy eating one of the best antidotes for many health-related problems.
The Immune System And Depression
Despite the many studies that have been conducted to find the correlation between the immune system and depression, it is not yet known whether immune system malfunction causes depression, or if it works the other way around. What is certain, according to scientists, is that there is a close link between the two. A recent study on mice found that stress caused the test subjects’ immune system to release inflammatory proteins that later resulted in depressive behaviour. Said research is highly suggestive of a relationship between the immune system and the brain and how it reacts to stress.
What Depression Does To The Body
It is noted by the scientific community that depression has the capability to weaken immune response, a warning for those who usually get depressed during the colder months that there is a need for them to bolster their immune system. A weak immune system can increase a person’s susceptibility to infections and illness. It is also of note that long term ailments brought about by a malfunctioning immune system can cause mood disorders. It is a cycle, according to experts. Depression can also lead to heart disease and other serious illnesses due to poor choices when it comes to their diet.
To ensure that you do not encounter depression this winter, it is best to take good care of your health. Eating the right types of food during the colder months will make a huge difference.
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