In true Bob Marley fashion, the sun is once again shining in the Granite City! Do you notice yourself already feeling a little cheerier when you spy the sun? Are your colleagues in better moods? Do you give and receive more passing hellos to and from strangers in the street?

Do you know why?

The answer is all down to our serotonin levels being partially controlled by the amount of sunlight we are exposed to. Serotonin is one of many chemicals within our bodies that help to control our mood, in addition to sleep, appetite and libido. Therefore, if we don’t get access to much sunlight – like many days here in Aberdeen – our serotonin levels are low which have the knock-on effect of low mood. The UK alone can at times experience such little sun light that there are approximately 2 million people who suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). This is essentially, a seasonal depression caused by the lack of natural light. Symptoms, just like depression, can be vast, debilitating and include:

  • Low mood

  • Irritable

  • Feeling worthless

  • Feeling indecisive

  • Tearful

  • Anxiety

  • Reduced levels of self-esteem

  • Reduced libido

  • Reduced appetite

  • Increased tiredness

  • Lethargy

  • Concentration lapses

  • Being less active

Unfortunately, unless you can jet off every winter for some sunshine holidays, we can’t of course control how much sun light we receive. However, for the days when the sun is snoozing, we have created a handy guide for how to get your serotonin levels kicked into gear-get in touch to receive it