How does the weather make you feel?

I won't lie, the state of the weather can affect the way I am feeling - if I let it. This is the same for many people. As the days shorten, the weather cools, and we enjoy less light and sunshine, many people can feel the winter blues. Some officially suffer from seasonal affective disorder (SAD).

Research is ongoing into the exact cause and effect of SAD, but one theory is that a lack of sunlight might affect how our hypothalamus works. If you've ever had a session with me, we'll have talked about how the hypothalamus is an area of our primitive brain, and how it controls the chemical responses in the body and mind.

A lack of sunlight could disrupt our body's internal clock (circadian rhythm), and could cause our bodies to produce too much melatonin, a hormone which makes us feel sleepy.

It's also thought that lower light levels lead to a reduction in the production of serotonin - and most of us know that if we don't get enough of this hormone, we can suffer with the symptoms of depression. If you think about it, primitive man would probably have had a reaction to the weather. Dry weather - not too hot, not too cold - and plenty of hours of light equals a good day to go out and hunt, or to get other tasks done to support ourselves and our tribe.

Bad weather? Dark? May as well stay in the cave today; pull the rug over our head and wait for conditions to improve.

We - modern man - can also be faced with this primitive response. Except that because of work and life and their demands, we can't generally have a duvet day 'just like that'.

So we have to make a proper assessment of the situation using our intellectual mind, not our primitive mind, so we can carry on and do and feel the right things to meet the demands of the day. And we need to make sure we get enough of that all-important serotonin!

So how do we do this? You'll hear this a lot from me, but we need to focus our minds on the positive.

It might be a bit dark and grey outside. But what is positive about today? What could you do to get some feel-good chemicals going?

You can ponder that yourself and your own clever brain will come up with some answers, but here are some prompts if you need them:

1. Positive thoughts: Come up with some things that are good about today and that you are grateful for. Got central heating? A fire or stove you can light? Cosy lighting? Hot drinks you can prepare? A hot meal? A human or pet to snuggle into? Music to listen to or a TV to watch? 2. Positive actions: What small actions could you take today to make you feel good? Bundle up and go for an autumn walk to enjoy the colours and wintry light? Play an instrument? Put on your favourite snuggly jumper? Are there any tasks could you complete today that would give you a kick of satisfaction or enjoyment? Sort that drawer that's full of random stuff? Take care of a small DIY task? Write someone a note? Bake a cake? Sort some photos out to print? Read a book? Soak in the bath? 3. Positive interactions: Is it a good day to catch up with a friend or family member over the phone or video? What about snuggling up with a movie with the people you live with? What about planning something for the future with someone you'd like to spend time with? So just remember, even if it isn't sunny outside, your mind can still be a bright and positive place!