A WOMAN who suffers with Seasonal Affective Disorder is hoping her book of uplifting lockdown stories will inspire people this winter.

Jo Baldwin Trott said she initially went into “meltdown” when Boris Johnson announced the first nationwide lockdown in March, but she was able to discover the bright side when she realised she finally had time to write.

The 48-year-old, who moved to Hove this summer, compiled a collection of positive stories from people around the world about their unexpected discoveries and positive outcomes of lockdown.

Silver Linings includes tales from people in the US to Australia, as well as around the UK, including relationships which have blossomed and businesses which have flourished, and ways that nature has recovered due to reduced human activity during the pandemic.

Jo said: “I realised a lot of people were struggling but these positive stories kept coming to me through my work network and I felt I had to share them.

“I have my own business consultancy and because more people were online I found myself speaking to more people than ever.

“One man in Florida owned a failing bike shop which was on its knees, but in lockdown it has boomed. He was going to have to lay off staff but has now given them their first bonuses, in the thousands.

“There were some people who ended up being locked down with people they didn’t expect to and it has completely transformed their relationships for the better.

“Then there are the planetary changes – many of the Australian authors noted the difference in things like noise pollution.

“I wanted to make it really joyous.”

Jo describes herself as “two different people in summer and winter” due to Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) – a type of depression related to the change in seasons which can lead to low mood and lethargy.

With the country now in a second lockdown as we move into winter, Jo is encouraging others to share their own silver lining stories on the book’s Facebook page, and to look after their mental health.

She said: “I like to think of this time as a period of monumental mindfulness as we all have to be more still.

“What I learned from the first lockdown is the ability to sit still and be creative is such a powerful tool to get you through any state of depression. Use lockdown to try something different.”

To share your own positive story from lockdown, visit the Silver Linings Facebook page.

The book is available to buy on Amazon or as an audiobook on Spotify.