EBN-A study published on the “HindustanTimes” website provided this information in order to understand how mood and depression are impacted by irregular daily activities. Depression is a common mental health issue that can be attributed to lifestyle factors in addition to biological and psychological factors, which highlights the importance of following a disciplined routine, which includes sleep, for mental well-being.
Understanding the impact of activities
Not all days are the same. With the fast-paced and busy work environment, some days you may get plenty of sunlight and go out during the day, while other days you may be at home with the curtains drawn. Similarly, when it comes to movement, you won’t be able to record your daily steps and stick to them every day.
This is exactly what the study examined, which tracked 6,800 American adults to understand how their daily movement and exposure to light related to their mental health.
The results highlight the importance of sticking to your daily routine, whether it’s sun exposure or physical activity. You can’t sweat it out one day and burn calories with vigor, then take a break the next. The researchers emphasized the importance of maintaining a regular routine for good mental health.
In the results, people with unpredictable daily routines and frequent fluctuations in light exposure were more likely to develop depression.
Why stability is important?
The study further detailed how a disrupted sleep cycle , or irregular activity pattern, negatively impacts mental health. It affects the circadian rhythm, the body’s biological clock, which also regulates mood. Young adults were more affected by irregular activity levels, highlighting the urgent need to correct irregular activity patterns, from staying up late to movement levels. Additionally, men were more sensitive to irregular light exposure than women, and people with a lower BMI appeared to benefit most from a regular light exposure routine.
