HOW CAN I BANISH THE JANUARY BLUES?

Dark mornings, long chilly evenings and short days; many people find January tough.

- SALLY THOMPSON

While lots of people feel gloomy and lethargic, many also experience a winter depression known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Symptoms of SAD include low mood, reduced interest in everyday things, lack of energy, daytime sleepiness and a desire to load up on carbohydrates.

So, what can you do to beat the January blues? Well, boosting your exposure to daylight to combat the wintry darkness is a great place to start. While an impromptu trip to sunnier climes isn't an option for most of us, taking the dog for an early morning walk or popping outside at lunchtime for some important vitamin D are easy ways to replenish your body with natural daylight.