Autumn and winter mean big boots, cosy jumpers, hot chocolate and mulled wine. They also mean anyone near me is going to hear a lot of complaining about long nights, along with many wishes that I was a black bear and could hibernate through the dark days. I don’t really wish I was a bear (although how cosy does this look?) – it would mean I would miss out on kicking big piles of leaves, snowball fights and Christmas. But the darkness does get to me, so here are some ideas for getting through it.

SAD
I think most people find the winter days a bit dispiriting, but if they are really getting to you and you suspect you may have Seasonal Affective Disorder, it’s probably a good idea to talk to your doctor. The Seasonal Affective Disorder Association have some useful information about spotting and treating SAD. 

Lightboxes are used to treat SAD, and can be useful for milder cases of winter blues as well. If you’re in the UK Lumie do a good range, and wherever you buy them from they are tax-free if bought for medicinal purposes (you don’t need a note from your doctor, you can confirm this yourself). They act like a small fake sun you can keep on your desk, giving you a boost of light to get through the day.

Exercise and eating well

Yes I know – often all I want to do in winter is curl up under a duvet and eat cake, but that’s not going to help. Well, it will occasionally, but three months of doing so will mean enough cake crumbs in your duvet to start attracting mice, and no-one wants that. Eat some vegetables, do some exercise and you will feel better, I promise. Yes essentially I am saying do as your mother tells you. 

Go outside

Yes, even if it’s a miserable day. The feeling of being cooped up is not helpful; I have an alarm set every afternoon to remind me to go and get some fresh air and daylight, but that might be a little over the top.

Look on the bright side
Christmas is coming! Eating cake and adding a little something-something to your hot chocolate is suddenly mandatory. So down your Lemsip, put on a big jumper and start praising the medicinal properties of Glühwein!
Squeamish Louise