Chichester ranks as England’s least affected city in new winter blues study
Chichester has been ranked the lowest of 40 English cities for factors associated with the winter blues, according to a new study examining how seasonal conditions and lifestyle indicators combine across the country.
The analysis, carried out by Manhattan Mental Health Counseling, placed Chichester at the bottom of its combined ranking, suggesting it faces fewer of the measured challenges associated with winter wellbeing than other locations included in the study.
A key factor was sunshine, with Chichester recording the highest figure in the analysis at 89.54 hours during the October-to-February period measured.
The study compared six indicators across 40 English cities, including rainfall, sunshine and temperatures, as well as physical inactivity, personal wellbeing, and loneliness and social wellbeing.
Bradford topped the ranking, followed by Wakefield and Lancaster. Manchester and Leeds completed the top five cities where conditions and lifestyle factors were considered most challenging.
At the other end of the table, Southend-on-Sea, York, Doncaster and Brighton and Hove joined Chichester among the five lowest-ranked cities.
York recorded the lowest physical inactivity rate in the study, at 10.8 per cent.
Despite Chichester's position, the findings do not mean residents are immune to low mood during the winter months. The ranking measures a combination of local conditions and wellbeing indicators, rather than the number of people diagnosed with seasonal affective disorder (SAD).
Steven Buchwald, spokesperson for Manhattan Mental Health Counseling, said winter could bring several challenges together.
“Winter can bring several challenges together. Poor weather can make getting outdoors less appealing, while darker evenings can make it harder to maintain activities and social plans.
“The findings encourage a broader conversation about winter wellbeing, but they cannot tell us whether an individual will experience seasonal depression.”