Walk your way to happy winter

Daylight saving ends Sunday morning - the start of darker evenings and shorter days as winter approaches.
It also means the start of "winter blues" for many people - but 3 per cent of the population suffers from the more serious seasonal affective disorder (SAD).
Tauranga-based medical researcher Professor Shaun Holt says it is likely many more people were undiagnosed with the condition.
"It's so common. Just about everyone might notice it if they don't get out much. It's more common in people who live in temperate climes [such as here]."
SAD - also known as recurrent winter depression - is a mood disorder where people experience feelings of depression in the winter due to low natural sunlight.
Symptoms can include depression, lethargy and fatigue, headaches, irritability, sleep problems and cravings for sweets and starches.
"The symptoms you get are similar to any form of depression, but also in addition people tend to increase their appetite and want sleep more and more.
"That can occur in depression, but seems to be particularly common in SAD.
"It generally gets better in spring and summer."
Dr Holt has recently finished writing a book on natural therapies for depression, which includes a section on SAD.
The book, called Depression - Natural Remedies That Really Work, will be published in May.
Dr Holt said natural therapies could be a huge help for those suffering SAD.
"One very simple solution that's much cheaper is to get outside and get some natural light, particularly in the early morning, do some exercise.
"Get out for early morning walk. Even on an overcast day, going for a walk would probably give you as much benefit you would get from light therapy."
Dr Holt advises visiting your GP if depression symptoms are severe.
In addition to treatments used for standard depression, light therapy is sometimes used.
A patient is exposed to a light box for a short period of time each day. Light boxes can be bought in New Zealand for $200-400.
Light therapy tended to be more successful in younger people and those whose symptoms included sleeping a lot.
"The recommendation is to start it before the symptoms happen if it's a regular thing each winter," Dr Holt said.
Daylight saving ends tomorrow, when 3am becomes 2am - so put your clock back an hour before you go to bed.
The Department of Internal Affairs suggests the end of daylight saving is a good time for people to check their household emergency plans and survival kits and home smoke alarms.
The period runs from the last Sunday in September to the first Sunday in April.
Daylight saving will recommence on September 25.