Winter can be a tough time for many. It can be hard to leave that cosy warm bed to face a dark, cold morning. It’s also peak time for cold and flus to strike, affecting productivity and workplace morale.

Up to 59% of Australians cite winter as their least favourite season with more than 1 in 3 reporting that they feel the blues during the cooler months. Unlike the majority, I love winter. The clear crisp days and early evenings are perfect for enjoying delicious hot chocolate and spicy curries. Sometimes I even yearn for just a little snow! It’s a welcome contrast to summer with its relentless heat, steamy afternoon showers and long, long days that leave me feeling uncomfortable and tired.

Studies conducted in 2016 by a team of Belgian researchers indicates that our brains work differently across the seasons. According to their data, our brains become less efficient during winter, requiring a greater level of resources to complete tasks. In terms of brain activity, it’s more “costly” for your brain to perform tasks, making it seemingly more difficult to carry them out in winter than any other time of the year.

Previous research has also shown that moods, metabolism and immunity are impacted by the seasons, but this recent study shows that attention and memory may also have a seasonal impact.