With the nights drawing in, fewer sunny days and miserable weather, many people suffer with 'the winter blues' as the end of the year approaches. And it's quite understandable that bidding farewell to another summer can lower your spirits.

But when a person is feeling down at this time of year, it can be a sign of something more serious - that they are not fulfilled in their life.

With fewer social events in the winter, and unpredictable weather, people tend to be outdoors less and indoors more. Often, this means they have more time on their hands to think. If someone is lonely, or unhappy in their work, they may feel it more acutely as winter draws near, and there are fewer 'happy distractions' to raise their spirits.

Many people have found that hypnotherapy can provide an answer. Hypnotherapy can help a person assess their life, and address the areas where they are unhappy. It can help improve social skills, giving people a boost in finding a partner or new friends. It can remove self-esteem or confidence blocks, helping people improve their working lives. And it can change any negative or limiting beliefs people hold about themselves, allowing them to expand what they believe they can achieve.

Additionally, the one on one attention, support and encouragement of the therapist-client relationship can be a great help in maintaining consistent progress towards one's goals.

A more serious form of winter blues is known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a recognised medical condition. It's caused by a biochemical imbalance in the hypothalamus due to the shortening of daylight hours and the lack of sunlight in winter. The symptoms of this include sleep problems, lethargy, over-eating, depression, social problems, anxiety, loss of libido and mood changes. Although traditionally treated with light therapy and/or anti-depressants, hypnotherapy is also an effective treatment for this, and it works without any side effects.

Hypnosis can combat the chemical imbalance in the brain that leads to this condition. During a creative visualisation process the hypnotherapist suggests that the person is experiencing the warm glow of a sun-filled atmosphere. This suggestion will create both physiological and psychological responses, just like those actually experienced during sunlight exposure.

The therapist will also work with their clients, designing goal setting and other motivational techniques tailored to their own needs, to help them accomplish day-to-day tasks. Hypnotic suggestions for healthier eating and improved sleep can also help people to maintain a normal lifestyle.

The full gamut of emotions experienced by a SAD sufferer can be realigned through hypnotherapy. Confidence and levels of self-esteem, which are typically low at this time, can be raised and the client is imbued with a very real sense of optimism and happiness.

If you would like more information on how hypnotherapy can help you feel better in the winter months, please contact Rachel Manning (formerly Clint), a hypnotherapist at Wellspring.