The summer time is usually a period of happiness and enjoyment. You have a skip in your step, the birds are singing and you have the warm sun on your face. There is a distinct drop in a great deal of people’s moods however as summer gives way to winter. Seasonal Affective Disorder is a recognized condition that affects around 2% of the population and around 10% of people report symptoms. These include feelings of unhappiness, tiredness and feeling unwell…although there are many more. It is caused by a lack of sunlight in the winter months having an effect on the chemical balance in the brain. The eyes are very sensitive to light levels and if there is not enough of it around, they will trigger the body to release melatonin in to the blood stream, making us feel lethargic and tired.
Believe it or not we can reduce the effect of Seasonal Affective Disorder by being careful about what we surround ourselves with in our homes. Living room and also bedroom furniture are often the most important to get right as these are the rooms that we spend most of our time in. Getting white furniture for example white wardrobes, tables and chairs will increase the amount of light that is reflected around the room and will have a large impact on mood.
Keeping furniture down to a minimum is another great tip and stops rooms from feeling restricting and claustrophobic.If you have fewer pieces of furniture in a room, the light has a better opportunity to reflect around it and you will also be able to navigate it easier. You can also add to the efficiency of light circulation around a room by painting the walls in a light colour.
Some ideas for reducing the amount of furniture you have include only having your table large enough for everyday use and taking away or adding chairs if and when you need them, only have one bedside table instead of one each side, and getting rid of small pieces that only have aesthetic value.