Seasonally Affected

Spring Equinox

Spring Equinox - when the light takes over in the north! A celebratory look at the astrology and traditions of this time as we bid farewell to SAD season

Accepting we have SAD

Denial, shame, sadness, anger - these are all normal emotions experienced by anyone living with a long term health condition like SAD. Awareness of our condition and how it affects us and experiencing some of the darker emotions are part of the journey to acceptance and integration.  

SAD & Relationships

SAD can have a huge impact on our relationships, including affecting our relationship with ourselves. This week I explore how feelings of shame that are common with mental health conditions can prevent us from being honest with ourselves and others about our symptoms and needs. Discover how to start understanding and communicating about SAD so that your relationships can become more authentic and supportive

Candlemas/Groundhog Day/Brigid & Imbolc

Join me for a quick tour of the traditions around the 1 & 2 February, which mark the mid-way point between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox. Celebrating the return of light to the land, this time was important to our pagan ancestors and is recognised by the Christian faith as Candlemas. The secular festival of Groundhog Day also harks back to a tradition of predicting how much longer winter will last come February.

Self care in January

A brief look at the myth of Blue Monday - where did it originate, is it meaningful or helpful? Then we dive into some practical steps for self care and wellbeing in January, confronting our symptoms and acting compassionately towards ourselves in small, achievable ways.

New Year’s and SAD

New Year's is a richly symbolic time for humans but not all cultures celebrate in January. For SAD experiencers, January may be a less than ideal month for making resolutions and setting goals. In this episode, I take a look at the history of the calendar, why January is the first month and its associations, and how we might like to approach this time with mindfulness about what's realistic for us now.

Winter Solstice

Winter Solstice is a day we look forward to as once it's over, the days get longer again. Here I take a look at some of the traditions, festivals and meanings associated with this time.

SAD and Christmas

Christmas falls slap bang in the middle of SAD season and may bring extra stress and challenges in managing our SAD symptoms. Join me as I explore Christmas shopping, work, food, drink and relationships!

Managing our SAD symptoms

Facing up to our SAD symptoms can be tough, but taking some active steps to manage them can help us feel better. In this episode, I take a look at fatigue, brain fog, carb cravings, low mood and anxiety and offer some holistic and practical approaches to tackling them. Please note this episode mentions suicidal feelings in the section on low mood.

Coping with SAD at work

Looking at how SAD may affect us at work, how to discuss SAD with our employer, and what adjustments to our working lives and routines may be helpful during SAD season