First Psychology blog

The holiday season often brings joy and connection, but as the memories fade into the distance and February approaches, many face post-holiday blues. The contrast between the festive period and the full return to everyday life can feel jarring, leading to sadness, fatigue, or even overwhelm. Understanding how to navigate these emotions is key to continuing your year with a sense of balance. Acknowledging post-holiday blues Post-holiday blues are common and are often triggered by financial strain, disrupted routines, or unmet expectations. Research highlights that the transition back to daily life after periods of heightened emotion and activity can evoke a psychological "letdown effect" (Peters et al., 2020). It's important to acknowledge these feelings rather than dismissing them. It's normal to experience a dip in mood after an emotionally charged time. Rebuild through small steps One of the most effective ways to manage post-holiday stress is by re-establishing str...

Laughter is a universal language that has the power to bring people together, to ease tension and to heal. When we laugh, we experience a release of tension, an uplifted mood and a carefree moment that allows us to momentarily forget our worries. It is no wonder that laughter has long been recognised for its immense impact on our mental wellbeing. The science behind laughter Laughter triggers the release of endorphins in our brain, which are known as 'feel-good' hormones. These endorphins promote a sense of happiness and contentment, reducing stress levels and enhancing our overall wellbeing. Not only does laughter stimulate the brain's reward system, but it also releases tension, stimulates blood circulation and boosts our immune system. A study published by the National Library of Medicine  states that “Laughter has been shown to exert stress-reducing effects by suppressing the bioactivities of epinephrine, cortisol, and 3,4-dihydrophenylacetic acid (a major dopamine cata...

As the clocks in the UK go back this weekend, we're taking a look at Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and why the reduced light matters to our mental health.  Seasonal Affective Disorder Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that people experience in relation to a specific season and time of the year. SAD is not a standalone condition: the DSM-5, the manual of mental disorders, classifies it as a specifier for major depressive disorder (MDD). In fact, the symptoms of SAD are similar to those of Major Depressive Disorder, such as feelings of sadness, hopelessness, guilt, worthlessness, loss of interest, changes in appetite and weight. SAD is most commonly experienced during the winter months, as shorter days and a reduced amount of sunlight hours are thought to be associated with changes in brain chemicals, leading to the experience of depressive symptoms. For example, the production of vitamin D, which is crucial for mental wellbeing, requires exposure to UV l...

Both depression and anxiety are common mental health issues, but they often get confused when the person isn’t aware of the specific symptoms that relate to each. Put simply, depression is a low mood that can make you feel sad and hopeless, and it can last for weeks, months or even years if left untreated. Anxiety, however, can cause you to feel nervous and on edge and make you worry excessively. It is not uncommon to suffer from both conditions at the same time. What are the symptoms? Symptoms of anxiety Feeling nervous Feeling agitated Worrying A sense of fear Shakiness Feeling out of control Change in sleep patterns Symptoms of depression Lack of self-confidence Feeling sad Feeling hopeless Tiredness and lethargy Lack of interest in your usual activities Wanting to harm yourself Change in appetite  Change in sleep patterns Difficulty concentrating How to relieve symptoms of anxiety and depression Whether you suffer from anxiety, depression or both, it’s important to seek medical...

Many parents are already aware of the hormonal changes that take place during the teen years. Dramatic mood swings and conversations consisting of nothing more than grunts or eyerolls can often appear to be the norm once they hit 13. But would you know how to spot the difference between normal teen angst and something more concerning, such as depression in teenagers? According to the British Journal of General Practice “Earlier recognition of depression in young people has the potential to reduce the burden of depression in adulthood.” This alone is enough reason to be aware of the signs of depression in teenagers and, as parent or carer, to want to provide your teen with as much support as possible. What are the signs of depression in children and teens? Low mood for an extended period of time  No longer enjoying activities or hobbies that they once did Increased irritability or bad temperedness Sleeping more or less than usual Drastic change in weight Overeating or undereating F...

Shorter daylight hours, grey skies and chilly frosts are a sure sign that winter is on its way. And for some people, this can have an effect on their general wellbeing, creating feelings of sadness, fatigue and in some cases, changes in eating habits. Although some of the symptoms of the winter blues are less severe than those of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), they can still impact your daily routine. Symptoms of winter blues Symptoms of the winter blues may differ from person to person but there are some common signs to look out for if you think you might be affected: Fatigue Change in sleeping habits Low mood Change in appetite What causes the winter blues? It’s believed that the lack of sunlight contributes most to the winter blues as your body doesn’t receive as much vitamin D as it would during the spring and summer months. Our body needs sunlight to regulate the production of melatonin, which can make us feel tired and lethargic. Sunlight also produces serotonin, the feel-goo...

Depression is a mental health condition caused by many different factors. It can come in various forms such as postnatal depression, dysthymia, or seasonal affective disorder. Although depression can be caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain, there are also other factors to take into consideration including stressful life events, certain medications, and medical issues. According to the World Health Organization "depression is a common illness worldwide, with an estimated 3.8% of the population affected, including 5% among adults and 5.7% among adults older than 60 years. " Symptoms of depression  There are many symptoms of depression but some of the most common ones are: Feeling down and tearful Feeling helpless and worthless  Having a lack of energy or motivation Tiredness and poor sleep patterns Lack of self-confidence Feeling suicidal Loss of interest in the things you usually enjoy Change in appetite Tips for helping someone with depression Firstly, if you recognis...

If your morning routine has gone out of the window or if you’ve never had a morning routine, there are many reasons why it will be one of the most important parts of your day. Although it might seem like a huge effort when you first start to put certain practices into place, you’ll soon get into the swing of things. Reasons why a morning routine is good for your health Having a consistent morning routine is great for both your mental and physical health and by adopting some of these positive habits, you’ll soon start to see the benefits, which can include: Increased productivity Stress reduction Increase in energy levels and brain function An overall feeling of happiness and positivity Many people who lack some form of routine or structure in their lives suffer from various forms of ill health and poor mental wellbeing such as stress, anxiety, depression, disturbed sleep, and lethargy. Putting in place a morning routine, can help improve overall wellbeing. Planning your morning routine...

Pregnancy may be a time for great joy, but it is also a time when your body may experience some unexpected changes. These changes can be affect both the mind and body. As your hormone levels change you may experience physical discomfort in addition to emotional difficulties and these may in turn have an impact on your mental wellbeing. Fortunately, there are ways you can prepare for any potential changes and improve your mental and physical health. Hormonal changes During pregnancy, you experience a surge in both oestrogen and progesterone. This surge is necessary to assist with the growth of the fetus but can also have the unfortunate effect of changing your mood and causing physical discomfort. Because of these hormonal surges you may experience: Low mood Anxiety Constipation Cramp Hot flushes Feeling faint Tiredness In addition to hormonal surges, other factors can increase feelings of anxiety and even depression. The thought of becoming a new parent can be daunting, and you may at ...