This is a collaborative post
Looking after your mental health is very important but particularly so during the winter months
The winter brings with it shorter days and so longer dark hours which can play havoc with your mental health. Many people suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder also known as SAD. A very effective way of treating SAD is light therapy, including clocks that mimic your natural bodyclock. You set an alarm time and the clock gradually gets lighter, like the sunrise, waking you up when it is at its brightest. SAD can also be treated with talking therapy and medication.
Medical intervention for mental health issues
Obviously sometimes self help alone isn’t enough. If you are clinically depressed or anxious then you really must seek help from your GP who is able to prescribe medication or refer you counselling or both. Recently have been having online councelling myself and I have found it very helpful. I have a regular weekly meeting online with my designated therapist and I am working on CBT (Cognitive Behaviour Therapy) to challenge my thoughts and beliefs.
During the pandemic there has been a rise in online counselling and phone therapy which is great for people like me who like their home comforts and would prefer that to a face to face situation.
January can be a depressing month
Following the excitement of Christmas, January can often be quite a depressing month. In fact blue Monday, so called because it is supposed to be most depressing day of the year, falls in January (although I personally think Blue Monday is nonsense). I think it is true that January itself is quite depressing for many of us because you feel like you are stuck in limbo between the celebrations of Christmas and the promise of Spring, which brings with it flowers, warmer, sunnier weather and longer days *sigh*.
I think we also tend to socialise less during January. We may have seen a lot of friends and family during November and December for Christmas celebrations and festive days out and January is a bit of a come down from it all. We are also feeling the pinch after all our financial outgoing of the previous month.
January is also the time of “New Year, New Me!”. We are bombarded with messages about being the “perfect you”, which can make us feel that the “current me” is substandard. The diet industry has a field day, cashing in on our insecurities. If you feel the need to get physically fitter that is fine, but do it on your own terms and because you want to, not because you feel like you have to to fit in.
A Balanced Approach to Well-Being
When we think about well-being, it’s easy to focus solely on our mental health or our physical health, but the two are deeply intertwined. During the winter, this connection becomes even more apparent. When we’re feeling physically unwell, whether from a lack of sleep, an injury, or poor nutrition, it’s often reflected in our mood, energy levels, and overall mental clarity. Similarly, when we’re struggling mentally with stress or anxiety, it can manifest in physical symptoms like tension or fatigue. By nurturing both our minds and bodies, we create a balanced foundation that supports overall well-being, allowing each to reinforce the other.
For example, physical discomforts like headaches, chronic fatigue, or even muscle tension can significantly affect our mental health. A constant headache can lead to irritability, anxiety, and difficulty concentrating, which makes everyday tasks feel overwhelming. A lack of energy, especially during the colder winter months, can make us feel sluggish, unmotivated, and more prone to feelings of sadness or depression. Even something seemingly minor, like dry eyes caused by the harsh winter air and indoor heating, can have a noticeable effect on mental well-being. The irritation and discomfort from dry eyes can make us feel distracted, frustrated, and stressed. Taking care of these physical issues — whether by managing them with the right contact lenses for dry eyes or addressing fatigue with better sleep and hydration — can make a world of difference in how we feel mentally.
We are less inclined to exercise during winter months
Because the winter months are cold and dark people are often less inclined to go out for a walk. There is no doubt Mental Health and exercise go hand in hand, but you don’t need to hit the gym to get the exercise you need to get your endorphins going. Getting out for a quick walk everyday can work wonders! I like to get home from the school run in the morning and take my dog, Vader, for a walk. Those 20 minutes with my four legged friend perk my mood no end.
For a longer walk I like to go to our local wildlife reserve. Obviously you cannot take the dog there but it is nice to spend an hour or so walking, emersed in nature. Being out in nature is proved to lift your mood so it is definitely worth taking yourself to a local park for a stroll, or to just sit on a bench with a cup of something and watch the world go by.
Lastly, be kind to yourself
Mental health really is no joke, especially so during the winter.
We put an awful lot of pressure on ourselves to do things but sometimes, what you really need is to take some time for yourself; sit on your sofa, with a cup of tea and a biscuit and watch Netflix!
