With the dark night’s drawing in and fewer daylight hours, its common to feel a bit gloomy now and again, however in more extreme cases, people can experience Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). There are things however you can do to help and Dr Winckler at www.thehealthcounter.com suggests trying the following:
* Cut back on the comfort eating as this won’t help. Instead, make sure you are eating foods that are rich in Omega-3 such as oily fish like mackerel as this is crammed full of Vitamin D. This is usually produced in our bodies when exposed to sunlight and is a great way of boosting our serotonin levels, which is why we often feel happier on sunny days. Stock up on green leafy vegetables, fruit, nuts and seeds as these can make a real difference to how you feel
* Make the most of natural light and try and get outside as much as possible as this helps improve Vitamin D levels. If you feel this isn’t enough, bright light therapy can be a very effective treatment for SAD sufferers. Sitting in front of a light box everyday can improve moods. Try the Lumie Bodyclock Starter 30 Sun Alarm (£49.99) and available from www.thehealthcounter.com It works by waking you up naturally with light each day to help realign the bodies sleep / wake cycle which can aid energy levels and improve mood throughout the day
* Get plenty of exercise – daily strolls in the sunshine are a good idea or stress free activities that don’t use up too much brainpower
* Try not to stress out. Supplements such as cod liver oil can help strengthen the immune system and improve Vitamin D levels which helps protect against depression and supplements containing rhodiola root, which is a traditional herbal remedy, can help keep the mind and body calm (try Vitano Rhodiola Rosea Root Extract Tablets from www.thehealthcounter.com - £10.99 x 30 tablets)
* If you can, try swapping your summer holiday for a spot of winter sun as it can work wonders.
Femalefirst Taryn Davies