COLUMNIST: KAREN STEWART-RUSSELL
The main reason for this is believed to be that a lack of sunlight affects production of melatonin and serotonin. If a person has S.A.D they may be producing too much melatonin making them feel tired. Lack of light can lead to lower serotonin levels which impact mood, appetite, sleep, and happiness. It can impact motivation and enjoyment of life. It is sometimes referred to as the ‘winter blues’.
For me, I find it hard to get myself up and going. Motivation to complete tasks, especially more mundane ones, is tough. I can be hard on myself and feel as though I am not being productive enough, which makes me feel rather unhappy.
I try to plan to mitigate the impact it will have on me. A trigger for me is the garden looking lifeless, dull and brown, therefore when planning our garden, I tried to ensure year-round interest.
Shrubs are the back bone of the winter garden. Skimmia is one of my favourites but I also love holly, as both are evergreen and add a splash of colour and interest when there is often not much else around.
I have been lucky this year as it was fairly mild in early winter so some of my hardier annuals such as calendula were still blooming in December, so I highly recommend growing these to reduce the months in which the garden lacks colour. Things that flower later like Hydrangea paniculata ‘Pinky Winky’ are garden heroes, mine were battling on with blooms even after some light frosts and really cheered up my outdoor space.
This month is a great time to buy snowdrops 'in the green'. You can plant them straight into the garden and enjoy flowers in no time. Snowdrops establish much better this way than by planting dry bulbs in autumn. Most garden centres will have other early flowering bulbs such as Crocus potted up and ready to go if you did not get round to autumn planting, which to be honest can feel like a chore in the cold and wet.
I find joy in planning ahead, eagerly thumbing through seed catalogues, listening to gardening podcasts, and watching recorded garden programs from sunnier days, which remind me of positive things to come.
On the days when planning and being productive feel just too hard, I try to start small. I aim to get outside every day and soak up all the light that I can, I go first thing or it can be easy for the day to slip away from me and before I can blink, the sun has set. Often I am still in my pyjamas and throw on my wellies and coat and just have a walk around the garden, or take a mug of coffee out with me and sit on the doorstep. I take some deep breaths, listen to the birds, and pick out something visible which is beautiful and makes me smile.
Beauty is still present in the winter garden, I sometimes need to look a little harder, but it is always there. Hope can be found in looking for signs of life like the points of bulbs starting to poke through. If I feel up to it, I may tackle a quick job, nothing overwhelming but something that will make a difference, no matter how small. Sometimes it is to fill one bag of leaves, other days it could just be to pick up a stray crisp packet that has blown in, but the sense of achievement gives me a much-needed boost.
Another daily job that makes me feel more cheerful is filling the bird feeders, it is the job that once done, continues to bring joy from the warmth of indoors as I delight in watching my winged visitors.
I am so lucky to have a tiny greenhouse to spend time in for a change of scenery, but before this, on wet days, I would busy myself planting micro greens so I still felt that I was gardening and that really helped. The results are quick and it is a very rewarding activity.
Last, but far from least, I keep talking. The online garden community is so supportive and a lifeline during the darker months. (Do come and get involved in the garden chat in our Scotland Grows Readers' Facebook Group).
Remember that the shortest day is behind us and brighter days are coming.
Karen Stewart-Russell lives in the heart of rural Fife. Passionate about the mental health benefits of gardening, she loves to share the joy of growing through her garden wall seed, plant, and book library. Karen has a relaxed, wildlife friendly garden, full of flowers, and is a huge fan of roses. Her latest project is an apothecary garden as her enthusiasm for utilising herbs and useful flowers grows. Follow her on Instagram.