How You Can Look After Your Mental Health This Winter
Alice’s Top Tips For Mental Health This Winter
Winter can feel long, dreary, and cold! There is even an actual diagnosis for the winter blues called SAD! Seasonal Affective Disorder. So it’s super important during the winter months to take care of our mental health. Our resident blogger Alice has taken some time to share her 5 top tips with us to support your mental health this winter:
𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘆 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲
Getting outside to enjoy the fresh air while you have the chance is a winner. Weather permitting, being active outdoors will improve your mental health, increase your vitamin D, manage weight, and improve your quality of life. You can do this by heading out with family, friends, pets, or even alone to check out the scenery, do some painting, or sit in the sunshine!
𝗙𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗨𝗽 𝗼𝗻 𝗛𝗼𝘁 𝗙𝗼𝗼𝗱
If you’re stuck inside because of gloomy weather and lost for ways to cure your boredom, cook something hearty and tasty! This will not only warm you up, but keep you occupied and create a sense of achievement. If the weather picks up but you’re still a bit cold, invite some friends or family out for a nice warm meal. It’s important to connect and spend time with the ones you love!
𝗦𝗻𝘂𝗴𝗴𝗹𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗕𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗲
Winter is the perfect time to indulge in some of your favourite TV shows or movies with a warm blanket and a hot drink. Relieve your stress by snuggling up inside away from the rain and relax until the sun comes back - Netflix and chill for the win!
𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗙𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗱𝘀
If you’re looking for a fun time but can’t be bothered going out in the cold, invite your friends over for a games night! This will increase your brain function, reduce stress, increase laughter, and bring your friends together!
𝗛𝗼𝗹𝗱 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝗜𝗻 𝗦𝘁𝘆𝗹𝗲
If you’re feeling a little under the weather or need to stay out of the office, do a little work from home and kick back in your favourite comfy slippers. You can stay productive in comfort and kick those goals all at the same time! If you run out of work to keep your brain active by learning something new or reading a book, this will also improve your sleep.
Make sure you prioritise your mental health over the next few months and spend some time with family and friends ❤️
Just because it’s winter doesn’t mean you can’t get out and about!
Alice is a resident at Briarholm, Kingswood. For more details about our supported accommodation, click here.