HEALTH + WELLNESS
THE SEASONAL SLUMP( AND HOW TO AVOID IT)
BY POLLY HUMPHRIS
As we edge towards the end of another year( seriously, how?), it’ s easy to reflect on why our health might take a bit of a backseat in winter. Shorter days mean less daylight, which directly affects serotonin levels and can lead to fatigue and low mood, while longer nights disrupt sleep and throw our internal body clocks out of whack. With the NHS estimating that two million people in the UK experience Seasonal Affective Disorder( SAD) every year, and surveys showing that nearly 75 % of adults report feeling overwhelmed at some point during the winter months, the statistics speak for themselves.
Add to this the pressures of Christmas, social obligations and the looming expectation of New Year’ s resolutions, and it’ s no surprise that December can feel less like a season of goodwill and more like a season of depletion, especially when we know that poor old January( who gets a bad rap, but come on, it’ s a tough month to love) and February are just around the corner, too.
The good news is that by recognising these seasonal lows as real, physiological and psychological challenges- and not personal failure- we can prepare and respond as practically as possible.
From nutrition and exercise to stress management, sleep and social boundaries, there are steps we can take now to soften the impact of winter’ s chill while protecting our wellbeing and setting ourselves up for a healthy, happy 2026. www. insidekent. co. uk • 163