10 Top Tips For Beating The Winter Blues – Part 1
by UKS Mobility
With autumn (fall) now in full swing, the dread of shorter and darker days of winter may start kicking in for some people. There’s plenty of time to mentally prepare though and for the fatigue and lack of motivation that often comes with winter.
Discover these 10 top tips for beating the winter blues this year and making the best of what this time of year has to offer, courtesy of UKS Mobility.
1 Get out and about
Spending time outside (even when it’s cold) is an effective and inexpensive way of improving your winter well being. Getting out and about for some fresh air is great for boosting your morale and waking up your senses.
Spending time outside doesn’t mean you have to go for a cold run early in the morning. It could be a leisurely stroll with family or walking around the block and kicking through the autumn leaves.
Whatever getting outside means to you, getting some light exercise. Vital vitamin D by natural sunlight will work wonders for your health and mind. Just make sure to wrap up warm!
2 Keep active
As previously mentioned, getting outside can improve your health, even if it’s just a leisurely walk at the weekend. To really keep your health in top condition for winter though, you should be doing at least 2 and a half hours of physical exercise per week!
Physical activity encourages new cells to grow in your brain, as well as increasing the production of mood-enhancing neurotransmitters and endorphins. Exercise also helps to reduce stress, improve your circulation, aid digestion, and relieve muscle tension.
You could incorporate a fitness regime with friends or family, or even with work colleagues. You could try a fun fitness activity at the weekend like swimming at your local leisure centre, or going on a bike ride with your partner.
Or if you don’t fancy leaving your house on a cold and rainy day, there’s always a wealth of fitness DVDs out there that you can do from the comfort of your own home.
3 Eat smarter
The foods that you put into your body can have an impact on the way you feel. If you’re prone to suffering from appetite loss or over-indulging when you’ve got the winter blues, boosting your immune system can help both physically and mentally.
Conquer the ‘cold and flu season’ by eating foods rich in vitamin C and high in antioxidants, which is easier than you think. Try berries, citrus fruits, carrots, and dark, leafy greens for your antioxidants. At the same time, opt for oranges, red and green peppers, broccoli, strawberries, pineapple, kiwi and mango is good for increasing your vitamin C intake.
As well as maintaining a healthy diet rich in fruit and vegetables, stocking up on bottled vitamins, probiotics, and herbal remedies can boost your immune system, helping to fight infections.
4 Stay hydrated
Most people will underestimate just how much water is still needed to consume during the winter months! This is because our bodies aren’t craving it as much as it does in summer, although we need just as much for our bodies to function properly and to reap the health benefits.
Keeping hydrated with water has a plethora of health benefits which all contribute to your mental and physical wellbeing.
Drinking plenty of water helps to fight sickness, gives more energy and helps us perform better, as well as preventing headaches and aiding clearer skin, as well as many others.
So remember that just because it’s cold outside, it doesn’t mean you should be drinking less water than you do in summer.
5 Get enough sleep
Aim to get at least eight hours of sleep per night. Establishing a consistent routine where you go to bed and wake up at the same time each day is key.
Your bedroom should be kept as a sacred place for winding down after the day.
Avoid checking your phone, laptop or tablet when you’re in bed, and limit the amount of TV you watch late at night too. Instead, try having a hot bath, followed by sipping a mug of warm milk and reading a good book to help you wind down at night.
Getting enough sleep on a daily basis can keep you healthier, improve your concentration and memory, as well as lowering stress.
UKS Mobility is a family business with over twelve years experience supplying mobility equipment and healthcare products to the public. We also supply organisations such as the NHS, SAFA, Age Concern and Private Nursing homes.
We are a Mobility accredited dealer and also an approved supplier to Age Concern and the Manchester City Council Equipment and Adaptations Partnership and a number of local authorities.
The views and opinions expressed in this post are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect all or some of our beliefs and policy. Any links on this page does not necessarily mean they have been endorsed by Defying Mental Illness.
About The Author
