I hate the winter. Short cold days and long dark nights always lower my mood and my energy levels take a dip. Sadly a fractured arm towards the end of last year put paid to any golf or exercise classes (and writing) so my energy levels dropped even further and so did my mood. New Year celebrations never happened after catching a nasty cold over Christmas. Plus, a few weeks of icy conditions meant I couldn’t even go for a walk in case I slipped and injured my arm. Then just when things were getting better and my arm healed enough to drive, I caught a stomach bug. As a result my mood dipped again. Fortunately, I’m finally back to normal health so it’s time to employ the tactics I use every year to lift my mood.

Here are the 7 tips I use to lift my mood over the winter.

1. Go for a walk during the day – especially on sunny days.
2. Keep exercising – whether it’s the gym, golf, keep fit classes or working out at home.
3. Eat healthy food – cook your own soups, casseroles or curries laden with vegetables.
4. Go to bed early – snuggle down and relax in a warm bed with a good book or watch a film.
5. Take a Vitamin D supplement
6. Spend time with friends and family
7. Sit in a room that lets in a lot of sunlight or a well lit room.