LAST UPDATE | 23 hrs ago

HOW I AM missing my walks to work this year. January and February have been particularly harsh with day after day of mist, biting temperatures and of course rain.

Instead of walking, I am driving through roads choked with traffic, irate drivers taking their frustrations out on everyone else by refusing to yield, while listening to endless doom and mindless chatter on the airwaves. Missing that early morning daylight, combined with exercise, is for me, a recipe for winter blues.

More than half the people living in places where there are four seasons report having the “winter blues” – a mild depression characterised by a lack of motivation and low energy.

In a minority (2-3%) of the population, these symptoms are very severe. They recur as an annual depression called seasonal affective disorder (SAD) that affects women more than men.

As the days shorten and winter approaches, many people struggle with mood changes, fatigue, sleep difficulties and low energy. Many celebrities have talked openly about their struggles, raising awareness about how pervasive the condition is.

Grammy award winner, Adele, suffers from SAD in the winter months with low energy and mood changes as the season shifts towards winter. The actor, Ryan Reynolds, has talked about his struggles with mental health, including SAD. The Canadian star has spoken about how the lack of sunlight in Vancouver, where he grew up, affected his mental state. He noticed a pattern of feeling lethargic and down during the autumn and winter seasons.

Celebrities like Adele and Ryan Reynolds have described how dark days affect their mental health. Alamy Alamy

Acclaimed British actress Emma Thompson has also been open about her struggles with SAD, admitting to depressive symptoms when daylight hours are shorter.

SAD is a form of depression that follows a particular pattern, predictably surfacing as daylight hours decrease in autumn and winter. The condition affects millions of people worldwide, causing a range of symptoms that include........

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