7 Watch out for the blues

As we enter the actual start of winter, it is not uncommon for many people to experience changes in their sleep patterns, energy levels and mood, according to the Australian Psychological Society. Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is recognised as a type of recurrent depression.

SAD is most common in the northern hemisphere, and appears to be rare in temperate Australia. However, even a single day without sunshine may affect your mood. In a study at Wagner College in New York, students were found to have almost four times more anxiety and irritability on cloudy days.

Dr Greg Murray, from Swinburne University of Technology, says Australians report lowered mood and energy levels in winter compared to the warmer months. “It is commonly thought that decreased light levels in winter cause SAD, but there are many ways to ease the symptoms,” he says.

Dr Murray prescribes at least one hour of outdoor light each day, preferably in the morning; keeping your social life active; and getting regular exercise. Extreme sufferers may need to undertake light treatment, which involves sitting in front of a portable light box for about one hour each day.

8 Be a softie

Skin produces less oil in winter, making it prone to dryness. Livia Mercer, editor of The Beauty Review, has three tips for silky-smooth skin in winter.

• For a radiant glow, exfoliate your body regularly. By removing the top layer of dead epidermis cells, your skin appears smoother and less wrinkled. Use a scrub or loofah, or treat yourself to a salt or sugar scrub. That way your moisturiser isn’t sitting on the skin’s surface when you apply it.

• Resist the temptation to have a scorching hot bath or shower. Long soaks in hot water dry skin even more, so try to use tepid water and cut down on your rinse time. Use a moisturising body wash, as soap strips the skin of its surface layer of natural oils.

• Slap on the moisturiser during cold weather to replace the lack of the natural skin lubricant.

9 Clear the air

Aromatherapist Peta Cornell says to keep your home feeling summer-fresh and help beat off bugs, diffuse essential oils into the air or simply warm some water on the stove and add a few drops of eucalyptus, rosemary, peppermint, tea-tree, ginger, orange or cinnamon oil.

10 Keep it hot

Couples usually spend more time indoors in cold weather, so make the most of it and work on your relationship goals and issues. Anne Hollonds, CEO of Relationships Australia NSW, says: “Winter is a great time to recognise the quality of your relationship.” Hollonds recommends asking yourself these questions, then checking your answers with your partner to see where you’re both at:

• How well do you think your partner understands you – how you think, how you feel, what’s important to you? Do you tell him or her what’s important to you?

• How well can the two of you discuss a difficult issue?

• What interests do you have in common? What do you do together for fun and relaxation? How often do you do something enjoyable as a couple?

• How do you feel about your sexual relationship? Does sex usually leave you both feeling satisfied and good? Are you having any sexual problems?