BEWARE TIREDNESS DRIVING YOU TO THE BISCUIT TIN

MAKING healthy choices is easier when you are feeling positive, but remaining upbeat in the face of colder, darker days can be a challenge.

With gloomy winter weather and long nights well upon us — and spring a distant prospect — you may find low mood sets in, or even seasonal affective disorder (SAD), a type of depression related to the change in seasons.

shorter winter days with less sunlight can reduce levels of the brain chemical serotonin. This can affect mood as well as disturbing your body clock so that your sleep cycle falls out of sync with your daily routine.

The effect of this is that falling asleep takes longer at night — then when your morning alarm goes off at the normal time, you feel as though you are being woken in the middle of the night.

When this continues day after day, it contributes to feelings of low mood or depression. studies show that about 10 per cent of the population of northern hemisphere countries such as the uk are affected by SAD to some degree.

symptoms include difficulty falling asleep and waking up; feeling sluggish and unmotivated, particularly in the morning; increased appetite; weight gain; and a persistent low, sad or depressed mood.

SAD is more common in women than men, and a family history of SAD or having experienced depression in the past can increase your risk.

if you notice those symptoms and they worry you, see your GP — a number of treatments are available for SAD.

however, there are steps you can take to help. A good place to start is to keep your body clock on track.

see below for tips.