Psychologist reveals how to cope with - and enjoy - unrelenting rain

"'The psychological impact of these dark, damp days can be significant. 'Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) affects around three in every 100 people in the UK, is more common in women, and is associated with symptoms such as loss of energy, weight gain and a desire to sleep more. 'We often become more fatigued in the cold and dark, making some of us feel like we just want to hunker down and wait for spring.'"

"Though SAD, also known as 'winter blues' or 'winter depression', is not fully understood by scientists, it is believed to be caused by serotonin imbalances and disruptions to the body clock are believed to contribute. Decreased exposure to sunlight can lead to lower levels of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that helps regulate mood, often leaving people feeling sluggish, unmotivated or depressed. The shifting, shorter days can throw off the body's internal clock, affecting sleep patterns, appetite and energy levels."

"'We can't change the weather, but we can try to change how it makes us feel. 'I don't want to trivialise the distress that some people feel at this time of year - nor the wider concerns about what all this rain means for climate change. 'But there are small things you can do to reframe how you view these endlessly dank days.'"

Forecasts predict heavy rain across Britain for another month, with the south west receiving 216 millimetres so far—nearly triple the long-term average for this time of year. The Met Office expects the wettest conditions to move further north next week. Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) affects around three in every 100 people in the UK, is more common in women, and can produce loss of energy, weight gain and increased sleep. Reduced sunlight can lower serotonin and disrupt the body's internal clock, altering sleep, appetite and energy. Small behavioral steps and reframing can help reduce the psychological impact, despite broader climate concerns.

Read at Mail Online