IN THE PEAK MIDWINTER

We might associate this time of year with low mood, but it can be a season to embrace with rest, retreats and rejuvenation

- ALI GRAVES

Dark days, terrible weather and post-Christmas bills - is it any wonder many of us feel blue at this time of year? Of course we've all heard of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a type of depression that occurs typically during autumn and winter months when daylight hours decrease. But while the condition affects around two million people in the UK - including singer Adele and Gardeners' World's Monty Don, who has spoken out on the benefits of using light therapy- did you know that there is a summer version of SAD?

Affecting just 10% of all SAD cases, those with the disorder actively welcome these colder, darker days - even experiencing appetite loss and insomnia during the summer months.

Unlike winter SAD, those who suffer in the middle of the year find their brain struggling with too much light exposure.

According to Dr Tom MacLaren, a consultant psychiatrist at Re:Cognition Health, many people find a unique allure in winter - sometimes also referred to unofficially as reverse SAD.