Does Winter make you SAD

by Emma Bower

Everybody feels a little sluggish throughout the winter months.

The dark mornings make it a battle to wake up and it can be difficult to get motivated.

But, for some people winter blues could be down to Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) suffered by seven per cent of the UK population.

If your are one of them, you will be glad to learn that some treatments are possible.

Treatments

Light therapy is the most common form of treatment and according to the Seasonal Affective Disorder Association, has shown to be effective in up to 85 per cent of diagnosed cases.

Users sit a short distance – usually 30 to 60 centimeters from a specially designed light box which generates a balanced spectrum of fluorescent light.

Leading cancer doctor Professor Tim Oliver has extensively researched the benefits of sun exposure.

“The body converts sunshine into Vitamin D, a substance that helps build a healthy immune system and strong bones, and may even fight off depression and cancer.”

Vitamin D can also be found in fish, eggs, cereals and margarine, so adding these to your diet can help to decrease the effects of SAD.

Supplements, such as cod liver oil also include Vitamin D, but it is not possible to obtain the sufficient amounts from food alone.

If you suffer with the symptoms of SAD try increasing your Vitamin D intake both orally and through limited sun exposure.

Also be sure to visit a doctor before self diagnosis