Canderel

Learn to look after your wellbeing after the clocks go back This month, the clocks will go back and British Summer Time will end until spring 2012 and it can be tempting to want to hibernate.

With the shorter days, longer nights and a slight chill in the air, many of us tend to shut ourselves away, reach for the comfort food and spend all our time slumped in front of the fire, however this could actually make you feel worse.

Lots of people suffer from the winter blues around this time of year - it's because our brains experience a drop in serotonin levels and an increase in the sleep chemical melatonin as we react to the increased darkness.

Lumie (specialists in light therapy) state that this desire to sleep more and the general feeling of being a bit down usually happens between October and March, the very same months the clocks go back and forward.

Bridget O'Connell, head of information at mental health charity Mind, said it has long been known that autumn and winter can bring about a slump in moods.

However, she insisted that by implementing a few simple measures, you could boost your wellbeing during the changing seasons.

“ People should try to do activities that help keep their mood up when the clocks go back, ” she commented.

Although Bridget acknowledged that any sort of exercise is good, she particularly recommended going outdoors to do it if you can.

“ Try going for a walk during a lunch break, make the most of a weekend or day off to go for a ramble in the countryside or simply spend some time in your garden, ” she advised.

This exposure to daylight could be significant, during the summer our minds are activated and our moods boosted by light levels of between 10,000 and 20,000 lux.

In contrast, an overcast winter's day could only reach 900 to 2,000 lux, so the chemicals in our brains are not activated in the same way.

So although it may not be too tempting to pull on your hat and boots and head for the great outdoors, by taking in some of that cold crisp air and getting some colour in your cheeks not only will your body benefit, your mood will too!