Use the garden and greenhouse to combat SAD

17:31 1st October 2009

Brits have been told that exercise and natural sunlight are their best weapons against seasonal affective disorder (SAD).

Both can be achieved through growing plants and food in the garden or greenhouse.

A SAD.org.uk spokesperson explained that exercising and staying in shape can boost a person's sense of wellbeing.

"It also has a secondary benefit in that daytime outdoor exercise exposes to people to sunlight - the lack of which is the root cause of SAD," he added.

The comments come after Julie Brealy - a heath manager with Exmoor and the Peak District's FitFarm camps - suggested that people do all they can to maintain an exercise routine through winter.

She revealed that many people neglect their fitness regimes and allow physical activity levels to drop during the colder months.

Meanwhile, US first lady Michelle Obama has been championing the cause of greenhouse and garden growing by filming an episode of Sesame Street in which she gives kids tips on horticulture.