You donít want to be SAD! says Kelly Services

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) affects an estimated half a million people in Britain every winter*, but it can be overcome, says leading recruitment agency, Kelly Services. As the days get shorter and darker, many people experience changes in their mood and energy levels and it can be enough to keep people away from work.

However, both employers and employees can take 5 simple steps to ease the affect of winter blues. Kelly Services has the following tips:

Brighten up! Increase the amount of natural light in the office. Workers in day-lit office buildings report an increase in general well-being, and a number of European countries require workers to sit within 27 feet of a window. Not only has this decreased headaches and eyestrain, it has increased productivity and lowered absenteeism. If this isnít an option for you, light boxes can provide a regular dose of simulated daylight.

Step to it! Make time for regular exercise; maybe a brisk walk in your lunch hour? Exercise alleviates depression, relieves stress and anxiety, and increases your energy. It also helps you sleep better each night, ensuring youíre fresh for the next day at work.

Freshen up! Take a break in the fresh air. The outdoors can do wonders for your state of mind and health so donít eat lunch at your desk, visit the park. Overall, poor ventilation is a common problem in modern buildings and can be the underlying cause of a number of illnesses including asthma and a range of allergies. If you can, open a window.

Good food! Eat a healthy diet. Avoid refined sugars and carbohydrates including white bread, biscuits, cakes, white rice and other processed foods. Limit tea, coffee and alcohol. Drink plenty of water.

Onwards and upwards! Get a more rewarding job. Research has also shown that workers who are dissatisfied with their jobs, are also very likely to become ill**. People with low job satisfaction are most likely to experience emotional burn-out, have reduced self- esteem and raised anxiety and depression.

Steve Girdler, Director of Sales and Marketing for Kelly Services, added: ìThe winter blues have a profound impact on the recruitment market during December and January. Whilst it might sound like a clich, the cold, gloomy weather causes people to re-evaluate how they feel about their current job and after the Christmas break, we experience an upsurge in the number of CVs received. Job satisfaction is a key influence of mental and physical health. If work fails to provide adequate personal satisfaction, employees should seek new opportunities and begin the New Year with a fresh start.î

* According to the SAD Association ñ www.sada.org.uk

* According to a study by Lancaster University Management School and Manchester Business School. domino.lancs.acuk/info/lunews.nsf