The nights are growing darker, the leaves are changing colour and the clocks have gone back. It can only mean one thing: SAD season is here.

If you’ve ever struggled with seasonal affective disorder, you’ll know how disruptive it can be. From low mood to a lapse in energy, the symptoms of SAD vary in severity from person to person, but even a mild bout can leave you feeling worse for wear.

For some people, the symptoms of SAD become so disruptive that they have to seek professional treatment; for others, lifestyle changes and at-home interventions can help to ease things a little.

Those who have struggled with SAD in the past may even find this time of year anxiety-inducing, as the idea of what’s to come begins to loom large. But is there any way you can use this time to ward off or reduce the severity of SAD before it settles in? And if so, how can you do that?

How to prevent SAD: 3 wellness experts on how to prepare for seasonal affective disorder this autumn