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Available for over a year

It's not known exactly what percentage of the population experience Seasonal Affective Disorder or SAD in the UK. But there is no doubt that many people find themselves struggling with their mental health during the winter months as the days are shorter and natural light is at a premium. In this series, Professor Hayden Lorimer draws on the experience of people living with SAD to learn how they navigate their way through winter, as a way of helping us all to embrace the season and beat off the winter blues. In this episode, we follow the pattern of the natural world and embrace the darkness of winter. According to health psychologist Kari Leibowitz, every other creature on the planet changes their behaviour during the dark months. So why shouldn't we? She draws on her experience living and researching in Norway where, despite a lack of light, they seem to see Winter as an opportunity rather than something to be endured. Plant Researcher Dr Em May Armstrong explains how trees, plants and seeds undertake an active dormancy as part of their natural cycle, and how she goes about trying to imitate their rhythms. And Hayden celebrates the Scottish idea of 'coorying in' which effectively means getting cosy and settling in. Presented by Hayden Lorimer Produced by Helen Needham Mixed by Ron McCaskill Original Music by Rob St John A ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Audio Scotland Production for ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Radio 4