The cycle of the seasons brings such variety to our lives with each having special qualities to anticipate and enjoy: the freshness of spring with bluebells and birdsong; the warm, long days and vivid colours of summer; crunching through leaves in the golden glow of autumn; and wrapping up warm to play in the snow in crisp winter. Animals and plants respond to the rhythms of the year and we're designed to do the same. Sadly modern living and its 'I want it now' culture can lead to us getting out of tune with these natural rhythms. This section will be looking at how we can improve our health and well-being by adjusting ourselves to the seasonal cycle and by enjoying locally grown food while it is in season. Our bodies crave seasonal eating and buying fresh, organic, local food is healthier, helps the local economy and is less environmentally damaging than choosing food flown in from around the globe.

Winter Well-being

It's a good idea to follow nature and slow down a little, making more time to rest and sleep, though moderate outdoor exercise will help to increase energy levels and boost your mood. It's the time of year to take stock, reflect and build up your energy reserves. Your body temperature tends to drop and you naturally crave a diet that produces more heat in the body so it's fine to eat a little more carbohydrates and protein than usual. It's advisable to limit sugary and starchy carbohydrates because they play havoc with your blood sugar levels and you'll end up feeling hungrier. Consider filling up on hearty root vegetables, plenty of onions and garlic and wholegrains and pulses. The lack of exposure to sunlight can cause seasonal affective disorder (SAD) which manifests as depression, lethargy and disturbed sleep patterns. If you have a mild case, try to get outside to catch as much daylight as you can, particularly early morning sun. Otherwise, consider a light box, dawn simulator, or ioniser bulbs which can help alleviate symptoms.

What's in season? - links to Eat Seasonably, a guide to what to eat and grow each month. For seasonal recipes try Veg box Recipes.

Wild Man Wild Food - website of forager Fergus Drennan. Lots of tips, seasonal recipes and details of courses.

Eat Weeds - Wild food guide to the edible plants of Britain

What is the most beneficial thing in your garden - the weeds

Charlie's favourite chocolate recipes - good all year round!

Keep well recipes for Winter - a handful of healthy recipes

Harvest Recipes - some of our favourites for using up surplus produce

Apple Recipes - celebrate Apple Day with some home cooking

Winter traditions - how to celebrate Apple Tree Wassailing and Candlemas

Getting in tune with nature

Public Woodlands - lists which local woods are open to the public and shares experiences and activity ideas. Maps nearly 14,000 woodlands across the UK.

Biomimicry Institute - Studies nature's best ideas and then imitates the designs and processes to solve human problems.

Nature surveys - share nature with your children and become more aware of the seasons by volunteering to record your wildlife sightings and provide valuable information on climate change.

Nature Meditations - simple exercises to help you reconnect with the earth

Nature and Healing by Glennie Kindred

Spent - article by holistic doctor Frank Lipman who advocates treating exhaustion by returning to a seasonally-oriented life-style.

Natural thinking - Dr William Bird's report investigating the links between the Natural Environment, Biodiversity and Mental Health

Rewilding childhood - children discovering nature. For themselves

Recommended reading

Animate Earth by Stephen Harding

"Increasing evidence suggests that both physical and mental health are improved through contact with nature. Yet people are having less contact with nature than at any other time in the past. This has to change!"

Dr William Bird, Natural England's health advisor