Got the Winter Blues

Many people feel more cheerful in summer than they do in winter. For some their lives are mainly unaffected but for others it can cause tiredness and lack of energy, increased appetite and weight gain. Once spring and summer come along, those affected feel perfectly well and normal. This is referred to as seasonal affective disorder (SAD).
The causes are still partly a mystery, but it is known that the nerve centres in our brains controlling our daily rhythms and moods are stimulated by the amount of light entering the eyes. During the night, the pineal gland produces a substance called melatonin which makes us drowsy. At daybreak, the bright light causes the gland to stop producing this melatonin. The bright light also causes serotonin (the hormone associated with wakefulness and elevated mood) to increase. But on dull winter days, especially indoors, not enough light is received to trigger this waking up process.

What you can do

Soak up the rays: Get up and out early to enjoy the morning sunlight. These are also the hours in which the risk of sun damage is lowest. (Avoid dosing up on the midday sun.)

Exercise: Practice some form of meditation or exercise outdoors for at least 20 minutes each morning.

Sun breaks: During your workday, spend coffee breaks or lunch breaks outdoors to increase your exposure each day.