It’s that time of year when the days are getting shorter, the weather is getting colder and the clocks have gone back. Add to that work pressures, family issues and preparations for Christmas and you’ve got a potent emotional mix which can lead to low mood. 
Because the light levels in the morning are low, our bodies’ natural daily rhythms are not triggered and our bodies do not produce the hormones required to feel wide awake. Without sufficient sunlight during the day we can start to feel sluggish, low in energy. For some people this disruption in our body clock leads to poor or disrupted sleep. In some cases this can lead to Seasonal Affective Disorder or SAD.
Some changes in lifestyle can help to alleviate the symptoms. It is important to get as much natural daylight as you can. Going for a 30 minute walk at lunchtime is a way of absorbing sunlight and boosting your production of vitamin D. It also means you are getting exercise which is important for your physical, mental and emotional health. You can also get some the positive effects of daylight through using a medically certified SAD Lamp/Sun Lamp.
A simple technique that I use to boost my mood is my Happy Jar. During the day as I tick things off of my to-do list, or receive a compliment or achieve something, I make a short note of it on a piece of paper and put it in my Happy Jar. The simple act of writing it down releases positive hormones into the blood. The sight of the jar filling up is another boost and if I start to feel low I can just have a look at my notes and start to feel more positive.
So find a nice big jar, decorate it so that it makes you smile and put it somewhere prominent. Celebrate all of your successes, big and small.
If you need one-to-one help to beat your winter blues contact me pat@patduckworth.com