Five tips for overcoming the winter blues

It’s a time of year where many people suffer with a flatness, or low mood. Lack of light, cold, wet...it’s really no wonder. Here are a few ideas for managing your mood through the winter months.

• Recognise your body's natural rhythms and how it is responding to the time of year. We are not designed to have the same activity levels all year round, listen to what it's telling you and make adjustments to work with it, not over-ride it

• Renew yourself with getting out in nature, be it by water, trees, the beach, open landscapes. Dressed appropriately, any weather can be rejuvenating. Make the most of the light by going out at lunchtime if you are working throughout daylight hours

• Stay mobile and look after your body. Sitting inactively is not going to help your state of mind, and it can make your body seize up and get more easily injured when you do move more

• Notice this winter period is one of stripping back and laying bare, and parallel this psychologically by exploring your deeper feelings and thoughts. What is being revealed in this time of less activity, less light, and less distraction? Journal, draw, talk...seek therapy if it helps

• Savour what you appreciate, perhaps by daily taking a few minutes to notice what's standing out for you right now, and what you are thankful for