WELLY walks in frozen leaves and staying in by the fire are among Brits’ favourite things about winter.

A new study found that a large percentage of us love associating the colder weather with long soaks in hot bubble baths, digging out winter boots, taking time off work, outdoor ice rinks and the smell of a Sunday roast.

However, the Love Fresh Berries research revealed three in 10 Brits loathe the cold season due to getting up for work in the dark, constantly feeling ill and suffering from dry skin.

It also emerged 85 per cent of adults are more likely to comfort eat during winter.

Sophie Medlin, registered Dietitian and Love Fresh Berries spokeswoman, said: “Most people find that when it is cold and dark outside, they are more likely to reach for foods that offer easy energy.

“These foods are often not as nutrient-rich as some of the foods we might associate with summer like salads and fruit. This can mean that we consume less vitamins which can make us more vulnerable to bugs like cold and flu.”  

One in three Brits hate having to defrost and scrape ice off their car windscreens in the freezing mornings.

Others dislike the fact they put on weight, shops are always packed with people and heating bills are massively inflated.

And four in 10 Brits admit doing less exercise than in summer.

More than 70 per cent blame the ever-present darkness for people feeling low over the winter months.

And half of the 2,000 respondents often need a ‘pick-me-up’ to get themselves out of a low winter mood, according to the research.

A fifth of Brits will eat something healthy to boost their mood, while 52 per cent turn to a warming drink.

Medlin added: “We often think of berries as being a summer fruit but they are available all year round which means that we can still benefit from the nutrients that they contain.

Berries are a great source of vitamin C which has been shown to shorten the length of a cold.

”They also contain important antioxidants and polyphenols which are excellent for our overall health.

“Try adding them to vitamin D rich yogurt for breakfast in the morning or have them as a snack in the afternoon.”

THE TOP 20 BEST THINGS ABOUT WINTER

1. The crisp fresh air in the morning

2. Enjoying the beautiful scenery

3. Cosy nights in by the fire

4. Winter walks through crunchy leaves

5. Twinkly Christmas string lights

6. Not feeling guilty about staying in

7. Really beautiful sunrises and sunsets

8. It’s the best time of year for comfort food

9. The smell of roast dinner

10. Going to Christmas markets

11. Tucking into big hearty meals

12. Wintry hot drinks (hot chocolate, gingerbread lattes, chai flavour)

13. Families coming together

14. Sitting next to a roaring fire in a pub

15. Going Christmas shopping

16. Winter Fashion – big coats, chunky jumpers, colourful hats, scarves and gloves

17. The child-like anticipation of snow and snow days

18. Seeing Christmassy animals like robins and reindeer

19. Feeling like it’s acceptable to wear pyjamas as soon as you get home from work – because its dark

20. Having lots of movie nights

AND THE 20 WORST…

1. Missing the warmer weather and sunshine

2. Paying inflated heating bills

3. Having to de-frost and scrape ice from the car

4. Always being too cold

5. Having to get out of bed when the house is freezing cold

6. The drag of shorter days and having to get up for work in the dark and then come home in the dark

7. Everyone is always sick and you are constantly being surrounded by runny noses and sniffles

8. Shops are always packed with people

9. Christmas decorations appearing before the summer feels like it’s over

10. Getting out of the shower is worse than getting out of bed

11. Your skin is always dry

12. Overindulgence and putting on weight

13. Christmas music, again and again

14. Not knowing what to wear due to ever-changeable weather

15. Spending all your money on other people and constantly feeling strapped for cash

16. Over decorated neighbours’ houses

17. Missing summer foods

18. Feeling alone

19. Having to put up with annoying family members

20. Competitive Christmas present revealing on social media