10-minute lunch break stroll 'can combat blues'

Workers were today urged to take a 10-minute walk during their lunch break to help ward off the winter blues.

The advice followed a poll of 1,000 office workers in Britain which showed that most suffered mild symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder during autumn and winter, which made them feel sluggish and unmotivated.

January was the worst month, with four out of five of those questioned blaming lack of natural light.

Paul Jacobs, operations director of recruitment firm Office Angels, which conducted the poll, said: “With the cold weather, reduced daylight hours and the pressures of Christmas both at home and at work, it is inevitable that we all suffer from the winter blues to some degree.”

Taking a walk at lunchtime would help ensure workers were exposed to some light, said Office Angels, which added that firms should give workers regular breaks to keep them alert.