A new study shows your lifestyle may be to blame for you feeling depressed. Researchers surveyed about 166,000 individuals from 38 different states. They found Americans spend about three days a months feeling sad, blue or depressed.
Study participants who exercised and did not smoke reported fewer days of depression. Researchers say their findings highlight the relationship between feeling sad, blue or depressed and engaging in behaviors risky to health.Women reported depressive symptoms 3.5 days a month, while men reported feeling down 2.4 days a month. Young adults and those who said they were unable to work reported the most days of depressive symptoms per month. College graduates and those who reported having a higher household income also reported fewer episodes of depression.
Thus researchers say although most people who report depressive symptoms several days each month probably do not have a diagnosable mental disorder, those above a certain threshold of sad, blue or depressed days might be at increased risk for mental and physical illnesses.
