Dr John Eagles, from Royal Cornhill Hospital Aberdeen believes evolution may also play its part. One indicator of this is that women of a child-bearing age are statistically at highest risk of SAD.

In a recent paper on condition, consultant psychiatrist writes, "At one stage, it may have been advantageous to have been energetic and to require little sleep in summer and to be anergic and sleepy in winter.

How to beat SAD

"This may have applied especially to women and their offspring, since it would be optimal to become pregnant in summer, resulting in childbirth in spring, when food is more plentiful and weather is becoming warmer."

So if you've got winter blues, and your boss will neither sanction, nor finance, your three-month break in sun, what options are available?

For mild symptoms, exercise is a key recommendation along with a decent diet. That means trying not to over indulge those chocolate urges. But if you must, go for dark chocolate.

An increasingly popular option is to sit in front of a lightbox for an hour or so a day.

"I thought light therapy was biggest load of cobblers", says a once sceptical Jon Simmons. "My wife used it over one winter period and didn't become ill. I thought that was psychosomatic. "When it helped next winter too, I thought, well, maybe it works!"

Cambridge-based company Outside In has been selling lightboxes since 1991.

"Treatment plan A is to move to south of Spain," says founder and MD Steve Hayes. "Plan B is to introduce artificial light, when nature isn't providing. That sends a signal to part of brain saying it's daytime now. The natural response is to stop producing melatonin and increase serotonin productions."

Steve says demand for lights is pretty consistent across UK, one possible exception being Aberdeen where sales are "extraordinarily big".

"It's north, it's cloudy and it's full of Texans who can't believe what's hit them!"

Source: BBC News UK Edition - Monday, 1 November, 2004, 11:10 GMT, By Rebecca Sandles

To buy your Light Box visit http://www.livingiseasy.co.uk/search/?search=lumie alternatively to order over phone please call our sales line on 02074831991.

http://www.livingiseasy.co.uk info@livingiseasy.co.uk 02074831991

On at night - light emitted from bulbs appears in room as if illuminated by natural daylight. But by day light emitted from bulbs is so close to natural daylight that it's light merges into natural daylight of room - making room naturally brighter, gently stimulating senses - yet most people would be blissfully unaware that lights were switched on at all! That’s magic of Biobulb Full Spectrum Electronic Daylight Bulbs

And apart from profoundly positive influence on mind, body and soul Biobulb Full Spectrum Electronic Daylight Bulbs are also proven to be kindest light for eyes - excellent for reading and writing as well as intricate crafts including needlework, drawing, painting, sewing and so on. Projecting a pool of near daylight, it allows us to read and carry out intricate work in more comfort, giving better vision, fewer headaches, less eyestrain and a much better appreciation of fine detail and especially recommended as best possible light source for computer work or watching television. Not to mention dramatic effect light has on growth of your indoor plants and mood and well-being of pets! Biobulb Full Spectrum Electronic Daylight Bulbs are a new compact style daylight bulb at a new compact price! This brand new 'Biobulb' out performs our old model as full spectrum has increased to 380-780nm and light output in lumens has increased to 1750 in 100w and 1250 in 60w. The Full Spectrum Biobulb is claimed to be closest replication of sunlight, radiates less heat and can last for 10,000 hours. They are flicker-free and with a colour rendering index of 85 are ideal for sufferers of S.A.D. Biobulb Full Spectrum Daylight Bulbs - Simply light years ahead!

http://www.livingiseasy.co.uk +44(0) 207 4831991 info@livingiseasy.co.uk