10 Top Tips for Beating the Winter Blues – Part 2
by UKS Mobility
Last time, we started looking at how to beat the winter blues. Simple things such as keeping active and staying hydrated were some of the key elements. Do make sure you go through Part 1 again.
So lets conclude our top tips for beating the winter blues
6 Socialise with friends and family
Spending time with friends and family that you can be yourself with and let your hair down is crucial at this time of year. When you’re feeling low though, socialising is certainly easier said than done. There is nothing more daunting than the thought of leaving the house when you’re feeling withdrawn and definitely not a people person.
It could just be going for lunch with some of your closest colleagues, a meal and catch up with a friend, brunch or a coffee date on the weekend, a trip to the movies, or for a drink in your local pub.
7 Light up your life
Getting enough vitamin D when the sun starts to disappear plays a key role in lifting your mood. Shorter days and darker nights make it difficult in making the most of natural sunlight. However there are ways of bringing artificial sunlight into your home which can be just as effective.
Brighten up your home environment with therapy lights and lamps that will encourage your brain to reduce the production of melatonin (a hormone that makes you sleepy) and increase the production of serotonin (a hormone that affects your mood).
There’s a whole range of alarm clocks out there that can simulate dawn, which gradually light up your bedroom as you wake up. As well as using therapy lighting in your home, try sitting near windows when you’re indoors, to try and get as much natural sunlight as possible.
8 Don’t overload yourself
During winter, your body and mind might not be functioning as well and as quick as you’d like which results in frustration and increased stress levels.
If you find yourself feeling stressed and overloaded with thoughts or to-do lists, stop and take a minute to remind yourself that your body needs some downtime. It is OK to not get everything done.
Allow yourself to take some time off. Even if that just means skipping ironing for that week to just sit and have some quiet time for yourself instead.
9 Make some “me” time
Taking time for yourself and allowing yourself some space for the things you enjoy is essential when it comes to beating the winter blues, even if it’s in the smallest details.
Whether it’s curling up on the sofa to read a good book, indulging in a hot chocolate for an afternoon pick-me-up at work, catching up on your favourite TV shows or trying out a new recipe, make it a priority to find time for what you enjoy.
Yes the days are shorter, there’s less light and the weather is more dull, but there are plenty of things to admire about winter. Woolly jumpers, cosy nights in, fresh winter walks and scented candles, maybe?
10 Have things to look forward to
You may find it challenging to motivate yourself to socialise or to go anywhere else other than your own home. Doing nothing and not seeing anyone can rapidly decrease your mood and result in isolation.
As previously mentioned, taking small steps to socialise with friends and family can improve your winter wellbeing, however if that’s still a challenge, then you should think of something you can do for after winter. This will give you something you can look forward to and enjoy planning during the winter months.
It might be booking a summer holiday, a city break over a long weekend, or even a friend’s birthday. If you are budgeting and not spending money at the moment, you could start putting the plans together for some house redecorating or garden renovation. This means you have something to look forward to when you do have the money.
Planning to start a new hobby in the new year will also help with motivation.
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.
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