How do people in Birmingham beat the winter blues?

Seasonal Affective Disorder - otherwise known as "winter depression" - affects many people. With the bad weather, shorter and darker days and with the excitement of the holidays behind us, I went along to Birmingham to find out how people here beat the winter blues.

George says: “I definitely get the winter blues. I've got it at the moment. I always think after Christmas is the worst time that you can possibly have. I don't know, the only thing that makes me feel better is exercise.

"Getting out, at least doing some walking even though you don't want to do it because it's cold, it's wet, it's miserable. But doing anything that can raise the heart rate is always good for getting a bit chirpier I think.”

Rachel says: “I don't particularly get SAD, although standing here in the rain I feel a lot sadder than I did when it was really sunny yesterday! Getting out and about, I think it's the Scandinavians that say there's no such thing as bad weather, there's just bad clothes.”

David says: “I think it's hard not to be affected by the winter blues when you're standing and it's slightly cold and it's pouring with rain and you're getting decidedly soggy. So you know, I like to think about, oh is there somewhere I can go in the summer, look forward to the months ahead. But I know what some people like to do is just find some solitude in what you can do as the nights are short. So maybe some, or the nights are long I should say, so maybe other things you like to do at home. Sit down in front of a fire, watch a film, glass of wine, love a mug of hot chocolate.”

Dave says: “Just make sure you get plenty of daylight. I think that's the main thing obviously with the shorter days and try and keep as warm as you can. I really don't like the cold, so yeah, that would be my advice.”