Somewhere over the rainbow...

So the weather in the UK is a bit... sub-optimal at the moment.

I won't lie, the weather can get to me.

Our primitive response to poor weather conditions is actually a depressed one.

When the caveman faced bad weather, he got a signal to retreat to the back of the cave and pull the rug over his head - safer to wait it out until conditions improved - it was sensible behaviour!

But I know I'll feel a bit rubbish on Monday if I just retreat to the back of my cave.

I need to create some rainbows during my weekend to break up the grey.

So I've planned some positive actions and interactions.

They include:

• Trying food from a new place

• Seeing friends

• Calling family

• Snuggling up with a book

I'm also going to paint a teeny room in our house - it's a fiddly job but I'll get some dopamine for completing it!

I feel happy just thinking about these things, and motivated to make them happen now I've put the ideas into words.

Don't forget that - no matter how small they are - by taking positive actions, interacting with others, and nurturing positive thoughts over negative ones, we help support the production or serotonin.

Serotonin is the neurotransmitter that helps us cope with daily life and it's vital in supporting good mental health. It helps keep anxiety and depression at bay. What will you do to create some rainbows so that you get some feel good chemicals going in your mind and body?