The seasons can have a significant impact on our mental wellbeing. In this article we explore how the darker months affect some people and offer a few tips on how to look after your wellbeing during winter.
During the winter, the days draw in, the evenings are longer and darker and the weather gets colder and wetter. For some of us, our mental wellbeing starts to deteriorate and we feel tired, unmotivated, low and sad.
Some of us will experience these feelings, but in a more severe form, and suffer from seasonal affective disorder (or SAD). This is a type of depression that people experience during particular times and seasons of the year. Typically, people experience seasonal affective disorder during the autumn and winter. However, some people experience SAD during the summer. If you think that you may have SAD, it’s worth reaching out to a professional for an evaluation and advice.
Although we can’t change the weather or season, there are things we can do to try and boost our mental wellbeing during winter. Here are some things to try to boost your mood:
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Try to get more exposure to natural light. Wake up earlier and go for a morning walk or go for a walk during your lunch break.
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Keep yourself entertained with a hobby. During the long winter evenings, we may find ourselves bored, with little to do, and this can negatively impact our mental state. Start a new hobby or pick up an old one to keep yourself entertained. You could even consider joining a local club or group to keep you stimulated and socialising.
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If the lack of light during winter affects you, why not consider a light therapy lamp? Light therapy lamps simulate the sunlight that we receive less of during autumn and winter, helping to boost our mood. There are affordable lamps that are available, depending on the features you require.
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Make sure you are exercising regularly. Exercise is vital for our mental wellbeing and in the winter, it can be easy to fall into sedentary habits which can have a negative impact on our mental wellbeing. Get outside for regular walks and other outdoor exercise. You could also consider joining a gym, or a local sports club, to keep yourself active during the darker seasons.
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During the darker, colder seasons, it’s easy to fall into bad habits with diet. We can often find ourselves eating more - and less healthy - food. With diet being a key component for our wellbeing, it is crucial to maintain a healthy diet during winter. Read our article ‘Food and Mood’ for advice and information regarding diet and mood.
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Ensure that you continue to socialise with others. During winter, we tend to spend more time inside, often on our own, meaning that we may spend less time socialising with others. So try to arrange to spend regular time in the company of other people, family or friends.
If you are struggling with your mental health, find local sources of support via this website.
