Keep your HOLIDAY HIGH!

Love that feel-good summer vibe but dread the winter blues? Try these expert-backed tips to give your mood and body a lift

- TANYA PEAREY

Log your memories

Celebrate a great summer by journaling, or making a scrapbook or photo album. It's a great way to reflect and reminisce. 'Crafts like scrapbooking and journaling can provide cognitive benefits, improving memory and providing a form of stress relief,' says psychologist Dr Daniel Glazer, co-founder of UK Therapy Rooms*.

It will give you something positive to look back on when the cold, dark days of winter descend.

POP THE KETTLE ON

It's the answer to everything - a good cup of tea! And there's a reason for this. Tea consumption is actually associated with reduced depression and anxiety, says Dr Tim Bond of the Tea Advisory Panel. This is due to natural compounds in tea called polyphenols, which influence brain health, mood and cognitive function.

BIN UNHEALTHY HABITS

The return of long, dark nights can trigger the return of darker habits - such as overeating unhealthy foods, binge-watching box sets and going to bed late. Keep tabs on your sleep, what you're eating and drinking, and how much exercise you're getting. 'Sleep is essential for our wellbeing,' says Dr Glazer, 'with one study finding inadequate sleep was associated with significantly increased odds of frequent mental distress.'

RAISE YOUR HEART RATE