January can be a dull and dreary month in the northern hemisphere. The festive fun of Christmas is over and maybe we all feel a bit sluggish…
Many folk suffer from SAD, or Seasonal Affective Disorder, and this can be very disabling. We need to take steps to minimise this so that we can look after ourselves, safeguard our health and enhance our sense of wellbeing.
Getting out into natural daylight as much as we can is so important at this time of the year. A brief walk round the block, through the park, or into the garden can help enormously. You may think it’s too early to look for signs of spring but – look more closely. Many plants will be sending up tentative shoots and some will even be in flower.
One of my favourites is the tiny but brilliantly coloured golden aconite. This is one of the most early flowering plants in the garden – even ahead of crocus.
The aconite – technical name Eranthis hyemalis likes sun but it grows well in shady patches and under trees. It is part of the buttercup family and its vibrant gold flash comes as a welcome burst of light at a dull time of the year. Like many plants it is poisonous if consumed – so don’t eat it. Just enjoy its brilliance!