Let there be light!
Adele suffers from seasonal affective disorder – what it is and why Los Angeles is her salvation
Pop singer Adele suffers from severe seasonal depression
© Simon Emmett/Columbia Records/PA Media/dpa
Pop star Adele has found a new home in the USA. This is good for her mood. The singer suffers from seasonal depression and gets exactly what she needs in Los Angeles.
Out of the cool waters of London and into sunny Los Angeles – the British pop star Adele said goodbye to the city on the Thames years ago and with it the eternal gray on gray. As she now says in an interview with the The Hollywood Reporter said moving overseas was also a decision for her mental health. She suffers from “severe seasonal depression,” which is why the weather in Los Angeles is good for her. Why is that?
What exactly is seasonal affective disorder?
If symptoms of a depressive episode only recur at a certain time of year, it is called seasonal depression, also known as seasonal affective disorder (SAD), explains the German depression help. In most cases it is the so-called winter depression, which usually sets in when the days become shorter and darker in autumn and more melatonin is produced. Less well-known is summer depression, in which lower melatonin levels unbalance your mood. In addition to hormones, stress and general health can also influence sensitivity to the weather.
What role does melatonin levels play?
Melatonin is the hormone that controls our sleep-wake cycle. If we don’t have enough melatonin in our bodies, it can make it difficult for us to sleep. If too much of the hormone is produced, it can cause constant tiredness and make us just want to sleep. The hormone is mainly produced at night, in the dark. The more daylight there is, the more inhibited melatonin production is. So if it isn’t really bright outside, the melatonin level remains elevated, the sleep rhythm and thus the internal clock are disrupted. Fatigue, depressed mood and lack of motivation can be the result. If the symptoms persist over a longer period of time, this can result in depression develop.
How many people are affected?
Adele is not alone in her suffering. According to estimates, around 10 to 20 percent of the population is affected by a mild form of seasonal depression, according to the information portal Neurologists and psychiatrists online to read. Those affected by this mild variant have difficulty getting out of bed in the morning, are constantly tired and often have an increased appetite. The craving then focuses primarily on sweets. However, another five percent have a severe depressive episode. In addition to daytime tiredness, exhaustion and lack of energy, symptoms also include anxiety. In such cases, you should consult a specialist who will then determine whether it is seasonal or another form of depression. Studies show that younger people are more likely to suffer from seasonal depression; women are affected more often than men.
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Why does Adele feel better in Los Angeles?
Numerous studies indicate that light therapy works for seasonal depression. Daily walks, among other things, can provide relief, even when the weather is cloudy. UV light penetrates even through overcast skies. It is recommended to spend at least an hour outdoors every day. Alternatively, appropriate therapy lamps with 2,500 to 10,000 lux can be used. gets light Adele in Los Angeles enough. The sun shines there on average 283 days a year. A fact that Adele sometimes struggles with: “The weather here is good for me. But sometimes it’s strange because I’m very British.”