Overview
- British Gas polled 2,000 UK adults and found 42% feel more depressed in January, citing cold, darkness and lack of natural sunlight.
- Norwich ranked highest with 25% reporting feeling genuinely depressed in mid-to-late January, followed by Stoke and Swansea at 24% and Manchester at 21%.
- Edinburgh and Glasgow each registered 16%, placing both in a top ten that also includes Oxford, Bristol, Plymouth and Cambridge.
- Reported coping behaviors include staying indoors, with 41% sitting on the sofa for hours, 34% avoiding social situations and 24% ignoring calls.
- Demand for light-based help is strong, with 57% craving more daylight and 76% saying they would like a SAD lamp, while psychologist Dr Becky Spelman advises morning light exposure, outdoor time and regular meals and NHS Talking Therapies are signposted for support.