Brits left exhausted by terrible weather, family arguments and Brexit, study reveals

TERRIBLE weather, family arguments – and the ongoing Brexit saga are among the things wearing the nation down.

A poll of 2,000 adults has revealed exactly what leaves adults feeling tired, both mentally and physically.

Times Newspapers Ltd

Terrible weather leaves Brits in a bad mood, a survey revealed[/caption]

One in four get exhausted trying to juggle their finances, and 31 per cent can’t drag themselves out of bed when it’s freezing cold outside.

And a fifth feel tired just at the thought of beginning their Christmas shopping.

Traffic jams, bad WiFi and having to repeat things over and over again to your children also featured on the list.

The study, by Healthspan, also found nearly two thirds of British people think the current news agenda around Brexit and politics is making them feel drained.

This ends up wearing them down so much, 32 per cent avoid watching the news altogether, fearing it will sap their energy.

Almost three in 10 feel so worn out, they suspect they suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), with just under two thirds feeling lower on energy during the winter months.

In fact, nearly half of adults claim they are drained ‘all the time’ from December onwards.

Dr Meg Arroll a psychologist working with Healthspan, said: “SAD is due to the lack of natural light in winter, which can play havoc with our innate sleep-wake cycle (the circadian rhythm), leading to poor quality sleep, fatigue and daytime sleepiness.

“This study shows what a big problem this can be for Brits as the rates are notably higher here than previous reports.

“This may be because there are now so many factors in modern life that drain us of energy.

“Reconnecting with old friends and using the long winter days to declutter the mind will supercharge your vitality.

“Also, by changing your mindset and thinking of winter as a wonderful time to try a few things you wouldn’t normally do, you’ll be able to nourish your mental well-being, boosting energy and mood.”

The study also found three in 10 adults feel less like themselves over winter, and a worried one in five believe their tiredness and lack of energy affects their personal relationships.

A fifth have made an error at work due to feeling so low on energy, while 16 per cent have called in sick.

Around one in three have also ended up giving in to cravings and tucked into an unhealthy meal rather than making something more nutritious because of their tiredness.

And 17 per cent have decided not to go to the gym or do any exercise when their energy levels were too low.

But to try and give themselves a boost, 43 per cent of those polled, via OnePoll, drink more water and 37 per cent bring bedtime forward to get more rest.

Dr Sarah Brewer, medical director at Healthspan, said: “Two thirds said they have lower energy levels in winter and 45 per cent said they felt drained pretty much all winter.

“With the clocks going back and nights drawing in, many people’s reserves of vitamin D post-summer are at an all-time low.

“What is worrying is even though there are government recommendations in place advising people to supplement with vitamin D during the winter months nearly half claimed they still don’t bother to take it.

“The National Diet and Nutrition Survey (NDNS) shows that more than 40 per cent of Brits are lacking this nutrient during the winter and low levels can contribute to tiredness and fatigue.”

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