Do you have the winter blues?

At this time of year, the shorter days, bad weather and starting back at work with little to look forward to, is enough to make anyone feel down. For many of us our natural response is to go into hibernation mode – staying indoors, turning up the central heating, socialising less and eating comfort foods.

Sadly, this is the worst thing you can do. An estimated 1 in 8 people in the UK experience the “winter blues,” a milder form of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), and their symptoms are usually worse at this time of year.

Sleeping longer, low energy levels, cravings for carbohydrates and weight gain are all typical signs of the winter blues and SAD, with people most affected during the months of December, January and February.

Although the exact cause of these types of seasonal depression remain unknown, many studies suggest it is related to reduced levels of sunlight during the winter months.

SAD is rarely found in people living within 30 degrees of the equator with long hours of sunlight.

If you think you have the winter blues it’s important to realise that this is not a natural response to this time of year. Most doctors are now familiar with the condition and SAD, and there are treatments which can help.

This article was published on Fri 8 January 2010