As the weather grows colder and our thoughts turn to the end of the year, some people are already dreading how they are going to be effected by SAD or seasonal affective disorder. However, you are not powerless in the face of this challenge !
Winter blues, or seasonal affective disorder (SAD), is thought to be common. It can affect people of any age, including children.
According to Sue Pavlovich of the Seasonal Affective Disorder Association (SADA), these 10 tips could help. "Everyone's affected differently by SAD, so what works for one person won't for another," she says. "But there's usually something that will help, so don't give up if the first remedy you try doesn't work. Just keep trying."
1. Keep active
A daily walk in the middle of the day could be as helpful as light treatment for coping with the winter blues.
2. Get outside
Go outdoors in natural daylight as much as possible, especially at midday and on brighter days. Inside your home, choose pale colours that reflect light from outside, and sit near windows whenever you can.
3. Keep warm
Being cold may make you feel more depressed, so staying warm may reduce the winter blues.
Keep warm with hot drinks and hot food. Wear warm clothes and shoes, and aim to keep your home between 18C and 21C (or 64F and 70F degrees).
4. Eat healthily
A healthy diet will boost your mood, give you more energy and stop you putting on weight over winter. Balance your craving for carbohydrates, such as pasta and potatoes, with plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables.
5. See the light
Some people find light therapy effective for seasonal depression.
One way to get light therapy at home in winter is to sit in front of a light box for 30 minutes to an hour each day.
Light boxes give out very bright light at least 10 times stronger than ordinary home and office lighting. They're not available on the NHS and can cost around £100 or more.
"Some people find that using a dawn simulator [a bedside light, connected to an alarm clock, that mimics a sunrise and wakes you up gradually] as well as a light box can enhance the beneficial effect," says Pavlovich.
6. Take up a new hobby
Keeping your mind active with a new interest seems to ward off symptoms of SAD, says Pavlovich. "It could be anything, such as playing bridge, singing, knitting, joining a gym, keeping a journal, or writing a blog. The important thing is that you have something to look forward to and concentrate on," she adds.
7. See your friends and family
It's been shown that socialising is good for your mental health and helps ward off the winter blues. Make an effort to keep in touch with people you care about and accept any invitations you get to social events, even if you only go for a little while.
8. Talk it through
Talking treatments such as counselling, psychotherapy or cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) can help you cope with symptoms. So if you're struggling make an appointment with someone you feel could help.
9. Join a support group
Think about joining a support group. Sharing your experience with others who know what it's like to have SAD is very therapeutic and can make your symptoms more bearable.
SADA is the UK's only registered charity dedicated to SAD. They have free information, regular newsletters, and contacts for telephone support.
10. Seek help
If your symptoms are so bad that you can't live a normal life, see your GP for medical help as there are medications which could help.
Don't be beaten by SAD !