Depression in winter Increases by 40% among adults In Greater London

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Joanne Swann
On a snowy night cityscape, illuminated buildings stand tall alongside a lone crane. A

Adults in Greater London and West Midlands were more likely to seek information and assistance for depression caused by Seasonal Affective Disorder, finds a new study conducted by Bellevie Care.

A comparative analysis of searches related to “Seasonal Affective Disorder” on Google revealed that there is an increase of 26.2% in the number of searches between October and January for the years 2022 to 2024.

5 Regions With The Highest Interest in SAD 

Greater London (40%), West Midlands (31.61%), Wales (27.35%), London (25.39%) and Scotland (22.51%) have the highest searches for SAD between October to January.

  • Scotland experiences the coldest winters in the UK, with average minimum temperatures of -0.2°C and the shortest daylight hours, which can contribute to adults developing symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).
  • However, despite their relatively milder winters, Greater London and the West Midlands, with average minimum temperatures ranging from 4°C to 2°C, have emerged as the top two regions in England most affected by SAD among adults.
  • Apart from reduced sunlight, there are other cold weather challenges, such as not being able to keep warm in winter, food insecurity, and having to cut back on energy at home.
  • According to mental health statistics published by the UK Parliament, approximately 24% of adults reported that reducing energy usage at home during winter negatively affected their mental health. Similarly, 24% noted that long waiting times for GP or hospital appointments impacted their mental well-being.
  • According to a survey carried out by ONS, 26% out of the 2,350 respondents felt lonely during the month of November.

Trudie Fell, Founder & CEO of Bellevie Care commented:

Research highlights that many in the UK are concerned about SAD, even in areas with lower reported cases. For elderly individuals, combating SAD can involve simple but effective strategies such as spending time outdoors if this is possible or by a window, using light therapy, maintaining bright indoor spaces, and fostering social connections to reduce isolation.

Trudie Fell, Founder & CEO of Bellevie Care

How to deal with depression / seasonal affective disorder

  • Spending more time outdoors during daylight hours and using light therapy to boost serotonin levels, which is a hormone that regulates your mood, is a great way to deal with SAD.
  • Creating a bright indoor environment, especially in your workspace, is also beneficial. Time spent in nature, regular exercise, and a nutritious diet are all important factors because much of our serotonin is produced in the gut. Sorting these can support mental well-being and resilience to stressors associated with SAD.
  • Creating an attractive and bright indoor environment, spending time in nature and being active through exercise is also beneficial for overall mental and physical well being.
  • Good sleep and following a nutritious diet plays a crucial role in emotional and hormonal regulation. Building a relaxing evening routine and a restful sleep environment can reduce SAD’s impact.
  • In challenging times, staying socially connected, relaxing, and disconnecting from negative news are also valuable practices for mental well-being.
Joanne Swann, Content Manager, WorkWellPro
Editor at Workplace Wellbeing Professional | Website |  + posts

Joanne is the editor for Workplace Wellbeing Professional and has a keen interest in promoting the safety and wellbeing of the global workforce. After earning a bachelor's degree in English literature and media studies, she taught English in China and Vietnam for two years. Before joining Work Well Pro, Joanne worked as a marketing coordinator for luxury property, where her responsibilities included blog writing, photography, and video creation.

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