Bring me sunshine

Yuk… the sun’s gone AWOL and if you’re thinking of popping out later today in your flip flops, sorry but you’re going to get your toes wet.

There are things in life we can’t control and unfortunately the British weather is one of them. As the weather turns grim, it’s hard not to be reminded of those long dark winter evenings and notice that your mood has suddenly turned from sunny to sour.

What’s going on?
Problems with getting out of bed during the winter months could be due to pure laziness but more realistically, your body is actually reacting to a fundamental chemical imbalance which occurs during the winter.

That fed-up feeling you get during the darker winter months is actually caused by unstable melatonin (a hormone produced during sleep) and serotonin levels (a neurotransmitter responsible for mood, hunger, and sleep).

So, how can you bring some sunshine into your life at this time of year? Skipping and singing down Deansgate swirling around lamp-posts might be an option but why not try these sanity saving tips this autumn.

Daily sunshine habits
Try to build these good habits into your schedule now and by the time the dark October evenings come round you’ll be naturally sunny…

Get out and exercise
Aerobic exercise has been proven to help combat feeling of blues in winter. Not only does it improve mood by increasing serotonin levels but it also has been shown to reduce stress.

Eat right
We tend to crave junk food as the days get shorter, as our body knows carbohydrates are effective in increasing serotonin levels in the brain. To stop those junk food desires, try eating larger portions of complex carbohydrates, like pasta and rice, and healthy simple carbohydrates like fruits and fruit juices during meals. Not only will you be lighter but you’ll be brighter.

Sleep well
Make an effort to expose yourself to daylight in the early morning. Take a walk outside or lift the curtain in your room as soon as you get up. Also, try to limit sleep to 8-hour periods on a regular schedule. Oversleeping and fluctuations in sleeping schedules causes increases in levels of melatonin during sleep, which can contribute to your bad mood.

5 minute fixers

Want a quick fix? Try some of these 5 minute fixers to smooth that mood and bring a smile to your rainy days…

1. Raise the blinds and let the daylight shine in. Instead of sitting in front of the TV, sit by the window look out and gaze, or read a book by daylight.

2. Try eating more hot soups and stews. Add beans and lentils to your diet. These hearty meals are both comforting and nourishing.

3. Connect with sunny people. We tend to get isolated in the winter and keep to ourselves. Get out and see friends who appreciate you and make you feel good and if you can’t get out, get on the phone for a good chat.

4. Bring tropical plants into your home. Their beauty and greenery will lift your spirits and give you a taste of eternal summer.

5. Look at the colour orange. You don’t need to tango your bedroom walls; just put something orange on the desk or your coffee table.

6. Simplify your home, room by room. Clean out the clutter and Ebay what you haven’t used in years. In winter we tend to contract and go inward so use this indoors time to beautify your home.

As always, these quick fixes and daily habits are best when they become natural responses, as you will start to live happier and healthier routines naturally. Try to incorporate as many of these as you can before the dark nights draw in. As they say, prevention is better than cure!

Lucy O’Neill BA (Hons), DipNM, PECI
Life Coach