This archive report was first published on 30 July 2019.
Everyday Factors That Can Affect Mental Health ¶
Depression affects around 10% of the population at any given time, and is now second only to high blood pressure among the most common conditions recorded by GPs. While bereavement, unemployment, and illness are common triggers for low mood, experts say everyday activities – from what we eat and drink to spending too much time online – could also contribute to leaving you feeling down.
Published on July 30, 2019, a study by Tel Aviv University found that taking just one course of antibiotics can raise the risk of depression and anxiety by around a quarter. Taking between two and five courses raises the risk by nearly half.
Disrupting the balance of bacteria in the gut can harm the way in which the brain cells communicate. To restore the balance, promote the production of good bacteria when taking antibiotics by eating live yogurt (containing lactobacillus, for example), but also fermented foods, such as sauerkraut, kefir, and miso.
Excessive online activity can also have a negative impact on mental wellbeing. Swedish researchers found that women who spend long hours in front of a computer screen or on their phones (up to 150 hours a week) reported more depression, possibly due to sleep deprivation and lack of face-to-face communication.
Other factors that can affect mental health include night lights, lack of fresh produce, and certain clothing choices. Being exposed to light while trying to sleep can have a negative effect on the brain, and eating the least fresh fruit and vegetables can increase the risk of depression.
Professor Karen Pine of the University of Hertfordshire found that what we choose to wear is heavily dependent upon our emotional state. Wearing clothes you associate with happiness can have a positive impact on mood state.
Smoking increases the risk of depression by 41%, and consuming caffeine can set off a stress response to the brain, leading to chronic anxiety, panic attacks, low mood, insomnia, and stress-related weight gain.
