People may suffer from stress during the winter because of the cold weather and
the limited sunshine, says Ngo Ha Phuong, a doctor from the National Institute
of Nutrition.

Winter depression was
a type of seasonal disorder. It was a mood disorder in which people, who have
normal mental health throughout the year, experience symptoms of depression
during the winter, said Phuong.

“People may sleep too
much, have little energy and may also feel depressed,” she said.

Nguyen Tuan Linh, an
employee at an advertising company, said that on winter days he often felt half
asleep and tired for a long time every morning.

“I find it difficult
to concentrate on completing tasks and have to withdraw from friends and social
activities,” he said.

Apart from going to
work, Linh spends all his time watching TV or goes online in his room.

“It’s too cold outside
and I do not want to go out wearing a lot of clothing, scarves and gloves,” he
said.

Nguyen Hong Anh, a
retired worker, said during the winter she often oversleeps and overeats which
causes her to gain weight.

“Cooking makes me feel
warmer and all day I think about hot dishes to cook and enjoy with my family,”
she said.

Winter depression
affects not only adults but also children.

Nguyen Minh Hue city, who
lives in Dong Da District, said her five-year-old daughter had difficulty waking
up in the morning and would slack off for nearly an hour.

“She even cries when I
wake her up to go to kindergarten,” she said.

Dr Phuong pointed out
some reasons for seasonal depression.

“It is possibly
related to the reduction in natural light and the lower temperatures during the
winter months,” she said.

People often stay for
a long time in closed rooms and rarely have contact with sunlight, which
prevents them from absorbing vitamin D and producing serotonin. Vitamin D allows
individuals to absob and metabolise calcium and phosphorous. People who are
exposed to normal quantities of sunlight do not need vitamin D supplements
because sunlight provides them with sufficient vitamin D, which is synthesised
in the skin. Serotonin is a hormone that helps prevent depression.

Besides, the winter’s
humidity may also have a bad effect on a person’s nervous system.

“To limit stress
during the winter, people should eat more fruits so they can absorb different
kinds of vitamins and avoid staying at home too much,” said Phuong.

They should also eat a
variety of cooking including fish, meat, dairy products, peanuts and lotus seeds,
which are a rich source of tryptophan - an amino acid that produces serotonin.

People should go out
to get sunshine whenever possible, and keep their houses well ventilated and
clean to prevent mold outbreaks.

VietNamNet/Viet
Nam News