It is estimated that 1 in 9 people suffer in the UK from the winter blues, which is around 6 million people. With this in mind the University of Glasgow, Division of Developmental Medicine is holding a fun and informative evening event to help beat those winter blues aimed at the public on Tuesday 1 November at the Hilton Hotel.

Celebrity chef Nick Nairn will be demonstrating some tasty and nutritious dishes, Rosemary Conely will give a fitness demonstration and motivational talk, and experts will be on hand to talk about how we can keep healthy and beat the winter blues. Carol Smillie will be the compare for the evening. The event will be also raising funds for Yorkhill Children's Fund.

Nick Nairn explains: "Food has so many roles and functions at any time of the year, but it's particularly important to eat well during the cold winter months. When the nights are drawing in, a good diet of healthy food keeps you topped-up with energy, but it also provides you with brain power. It's a natural boost when it's cold outside, firing your soul and making you feel good about life."

Professor Mike Lean who is the chair of Human Nutrition at the University of Glasgow and one of the events experts on hand to give advice said:

"There are two trends noticeable in winter - some people put on weight during this season, and secondly, there is an increase in the rate of heart attacks and strokes. In part, this has to be related to the fact that people tend to be less active over autumn and winter. So it is important we make a special effort to keep activity levels up. You donﾹt have to go to a gym or go for a run though, regular walking is excellent too and we should look at exercise as being a fun activity."

Professor Paddy O'Donnell, Professor of Psychology at the University of Glasgow is also a guest speaker.

Some top tips for vansishing those winter blues:

ﾷGet outside and go for a walk or do some light exercise.

ﾷTry yoga or pilates to de - stress you and to have a relaxing time.

ﾷHave a get together with your friends.

ﾷDo something nice for yourself such as have a massage or some beauty treatment.

ﾷYou can also make some simple changes through diet which could all help to make a difference:

Winter blues can make you crave food that is high in sugar and not very nutritional. High-sugar soft drinks and snacks may help to temporarily increase serotonin levels in the brain but in the long run they won't ward off the gloom. Eating well is the key to success here making sure you have a good balanced diet which will make sure you get all the essential nutrients and with plenty of fruit and vegetables. A good start to the day is to make a winter fruit compote with a mixture of dried fruit in some orange juice and served with some yoghurt. Also be sure to drink plenty of water. Even slight dehydration can cause a lack of energy or general weakness.

Media Relations Office (media@gla.ac.uk)

For fuller details contact the University Press Office on 0141 330-3535. Or for more information and tickets for the Beat The Winter Blues Event which cost ?10.00 contact Eloise Roser, University Of Glasgow on 0141 201 9353, or Carolyn Fraser on 0141 201-9264.

First published: 24 October 2005