Sound familiar? For those of us in the southern hemisphere this is the way we are starting our days now that winter is here. The body is feeling a little sluggish in the mornings and energy is low. Motivation is even lower.

Luckily for most of us this is just a general reluctance to go out into the cold. That first time in the morning when you roll out of bed and put your feet on the icy floor is a real shocker. For some people, however, this is the onset of SAD.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a recognised phenomenon that hits many people throughout the winter months. SAD shows itself in symptoms such as tiredness, weight gain, lethargy and mood swings. In some people it can result in real depression.

Scientists say that the onset of SAD occurs in winter when the days are less bright and the nights are longer. The lack of exposure to sunlight can alter the chemical balance of our bodies, resulting in SAD. I can feel the change in people now that winter is here.

Most of us feel that we slow down in winter. That nice cosy fire is calling you, isn’t it? We are not as active and tend towards hibernation. We eat differently and look for hot and hearty meals that we then digest more slowly. We don’t play as much sport and look for indoor pursuits to keep ourselves occupied.

Sadly, it is this inactivity that can be one of the main culprits behind SAD.

The best way to survive winter is with activity. Like it or loathe it, getting active and outdoors is the key to good health even in winter. Why not rug up and go for a brisk walk? There are lots of outdoor sports in winter so why not go and watch some if you don’t want to play? Take your dog for a walk. (I wonder if pets suffer from SAD?) Do some gardening; prune those roses. Throw a Frisbee with your children.

There are lots of things that you can do that will get you outdoors. The activity is great for releasing those warm and happy hormones into your body. The exposure to natural light will help to keep you balanced. Just remember to wear shoes and clothes that will keep you warm and protected. It is also a great idea to wear a hat to keep your head and ears warm.

When you get back home feeling fresh and energised just think how good it will feel to sit on a cosy sofa with a nice hot drink. Instead of just sitting like a lump in front of the fire you will be feeling happy and ready for life.

Don’t waste your winter season with SAD. Go outside and enjoy the light.

Thumbnail Photo Credit: The Winter Scene is by Tony the Misfit.

Being a mother is difficult. Imagine waking up one morning to find that little shards of your personality have splintered off into talking, demanding personalities on legs? There are little pieces of you everywhere, making messes, needing lunches cut, demanding your taxi services and so on. Like a dream, this just keeps on happening day after day… Often, the bigger those little personalities get the smaller yours can get until it is lost inside the daily battle of organisation vs. the ticking clock.

Is it any wonder that you see mothers dashing in and out of the supermarket in tracksuits, ponytails and makeup-free? Who has time to make themselves look beautiful before they buy that loaf of bread? When the day is full of nothing but tiny little details and great big housework everything else seems unimportant. These mothers have lost themselves in the stress of getting everything done. They put themselves last while making sure that little Jenny has the shoes she needs for the dance, and Billy has the football he wants.

How do we change the word SELF from being a four letter word to becoming part of a mother’s regular vocabulary? These mothers started out being fully fledged individuals with opinions of their own. How can we help them to find that part of themselves again?

My guess is that the first thing we need to do is to lift their eyes up and away from the home. They need to find something to do somewhere else, whether it is taking a course or joining a committee. Really, it doesn’t matter what it is as long as it places them in an environment where they are not serving someone. It is amazing what changes are made in a woman who is suddenly part of something in the real world. After all, look at how Cinderella blossomed at the ball.

Secondly, we need to boost her confidence in some way. What a difference a good haircut or pamper can make to your confidence. “Oh yes, I have a body, too, don’t I? I forgot about that.”

Mother’s Day is almost here and this is your opportunity to make a difference to her world. Instead of giving her that box of chocolates again that the kids will probably take over, why not give her something significant? Book her a manicure, take her shopping (for clothes, not food!), sign up for a course together, go to the Art Gallery, learn to line dance. The sad thing is that Mothers Day happens only once a year. That is a long time between confidence boosts. Why not select something that she can have or do on a regular basis?

This year, put some thought into the gift. Give your mother something to feed her soul, something that will rejuvenate her. Give her your time and attention. You don’t have to neglect her just because she neglects herself. Show her that you value her and you never know, she might just start to value herself again.

A personal style consultation is where your consultant analyses the shape of your body to find out which cuts, length and shape of clothing will flatter you most. We all have areas that we are not happy with, but we also have our best features.  The consultant’s aim is to identify the best aspects of your body and suggest ways to emphasise them and to recommend clothing styles that will camouflage your figure ‘flaws’.

First of all I should point out that the consultant will only recommend things to you. She won’t enforce them, so if you don’t like her ideas you don’t have to use them. It may take a while to get used to a new way of dressing if the change is great, but before you discount her advice, at least think it through.

There are a number of measurements that have to be taken. No, you don’t have to undress! I suggest that you wear a light shirt and pants (or skirt) so that their bulk doesn’t add to your centimetres. This can throw the results off. Your height will be measured, and then you will be measured from hip to floor, and knee to floor. Your neck length and circumference will be measured. Your bust measurement will be taken, as will your waist and hip measurement. That is the hard part done.

Depending on the system your consultant uses she may put these figures into the computer to print out your special recommendations in portfolio form. Other consultants will simply talk to you about them and give you a booklet full of imformation to use. Either way, this document will become your wardrobe bible from now on. Study it and use it. Your whole appearance will be enhanced by what you learn. Make sure that you ask you consultant all the questions that you want to because that is what they are there for. Their intention is to improve your personal presentation and the more information they can give you the happier they will be.

You don’t have to go alone to the consultation. One of the best ways to do this is to make a group booking and go with your girlfriends. Make a party of it. You will probably get a discount on the price of the consultation too. These days a style consultation can often be done online, too, as long as you are able to take your own measurements.

A style analysis is one of the best things that you can do for yourself (or your friends). It can help build your confidence levels and who knows what that can lead to? Give it a go.

One resolution that I made and have actually kept is what I call the ‘Great Cosmetic Cleanout’.  You know the one – the one where you throw it all away and leave a nice empty space ready to be filled again. I hate doing the job, but I feel so much more free once it is done   The end of the year is a great time to for this job.  It is the time when we all wave goodbye to the old and feel hopeful about the new.  It seems right to be throwing things away.

Your makeup is like any other product.   It has a certain shelf life and once that has been reached, the product should be thrown away.    We all know that bacteria will gradually build up in our cosmetics through daily use and exposure to the air, yet how many of us still use the same mascara wand that we used last year?

The first thing you should do is to throw out anything that you haven’t used in 12 months.  One year will be the longest of the shelf lives for almost all of your products, but if you haven’t used them in 12 months then you are not going to.

Next, sort out what is left.  Your pencils and powder will last for up to 3 years as long as you are careful with them.  The pencils will remain free of bacteria if you sharpen them regularly.  Your lipsticks will last for around the same time but look closely at them before you decide to keep them.  Do they still look fresh?  Do they still have the same glide?  Do they smell fresh?  You really need to use your senses with all your makeup because that will be your most reliable guide to their health.  Take your time, too.  You need to do this properly.

Once you have sorted out your makeup it is time to turn your attention to the applicators.  I am a believer in disposable applicators because I am not one to remember to wash my brushes and sponges regularly.  All of your applicators, except your mascara wand, should be washed frequently so that bacteria does not build up and then spread itself all over your face.  If you have suddenly had a breakout it could be because your applicators are not clean.  The mascara wand gathers bacteria from exposure to the air so don’t pump the wand in and out of the tube, and only keep your mascara for 3 – 4 months.  Your eye is very delicate and will pick up an infection very quickly.

Finally, clean the storage area whether it is a makeup bag, a shelf or a drawer.  The area should be spotlessly clean and fresh to minimise the risk of bacterial growth in much the same way as an operating theatre.

Now you have a beautifully clean and empty space to fill with goodies for the New Year.