Shorter days on treatment: steady routines through autumn and winter

From October to March, sunlight in Germany is not strong enough for the skin to make enough vitamin D. The body can store vitamin D, and these stores help during the winter months (DGE). Shorter days also mean many people spend more time inside and sit more. The WHO recommends regular physical activity for adults, notes that some activity is better than none, and advises limiting time spent sitting (WHO).

In the EU product information for these medicines, decreased appetite and digestive symptoms such as nausea are listed among the common effects (EMA product information). When you are also less active and eating smaller meals, planned meals and drinks help you stay nourished.

For low mood in the darker months, the NHS suggests getting as much natural daylight as you can, moving regularly, staying in touch with friends and family, keeping up your usual activities and going to bed and getting up at roughly the same times (NHS).

In practice that can be a short walk in the late morning or at lunchtime, a coffee or tea by the window, or keeping your usual wake-up time at the weekend. Small, repeatable steps tend to be easier to keep than big plans.

Movement does not have to be intense to count. Walking in warm, weatherproof clothing, taking the stairs, stretching, a short routine at home, swimming or a class can all fit into colder days. Breaking up long periods of sitting with a few minutes of movement is a good place to start (WHO; NHS).

Choose activities that suit your health and fitness. If you have a heart, lung or joint condition, or you are unsure what is right for you, ask your doctor or GP first. If you feel dizzy, weak or unwell while moving, stop and talk to your doctor.

Soups, stews, porridge, baked vegetables with a source of protein, or a simple warm bowl can be easier to manage than large plates when your appetite is quieter. Eat slowly and stop when you are full. Smaller portions spread across the day are fine.

Many people drink less when it is cold, so keep water or a warm drink within reach. The DGE recommends drinking regularly, ideally water and unsweetened tea (DGE). If you cannot keep food or fluids down, contact your doctor.

The DGE recommends vitamin D supplements only when your supply cannot be improved through food and your own production from sunlight, especially for people in risk groups (DGE). Taking too much vitamin D from supplements over a long time can lead to too much calcium in the body, which can harm bones, kidneys and the heart (NHS).

If you are unsure, ask your doctor or GP. They can check whether a test or a supplement makes sense for you and how it fits with your other medicines.

Feeling a little flatter on dark days is common. Seasonal affective disorder is a type of depression that usually happens in winter. Signs can include persistent low mood, losing interest in everyday activities, feeling tired or sleeping more than usual (NHS). If you think this applies to you, talk to your GP or doctor. Some product information leaflets also ask you to tell your doctor about new or worsening low mood (EMA product information).

If you have thoughts of harming yourself, get help straight away: call 112 in an emergency, or the TelefonSeelsorge on 0800 111 0 111 or 0800 111 0 222, free of charge and available day and night (TelefonSeelsorge).

Keep your usual treatment day or time as described in the patient leaflet, and do not change, pause or double a dose without advice from your prescribing doctor or pharmacist (EMA product information). A doctor reviews your details and decides on the prescription. Your GP remains an important part of your care.

Contact your doctor if you have persistent vomiting, cannot keep fluids down, notice signs of dehydration, faint, or have severe stomach pain that may spread to your back. The EMA product information names these symptoms as reasons to seek medical advice. For sudden or unclear severe symptoms, get help immediately. If you have severe side effects, contact a doctor straight away, the out-of-hours service on 116117 or, in an emergency, 112.

You can report suspected side effects to the authorities; in Germany, through the BfArM and PEI reporting portal.

This Journal article offers general information about everyday routines in autumn and winter during prescribed weight-management treatment. It is not a diagnosis, a prescription or a promise of any result. Your prescribing doctor decides on suitability, dose changes and personal limits after clinical review. This article is for information and does not replace medical advice.