Supporting your mental health in winter.


 THE January blues is a real problem to some, alongside SAD - or, Seasonal Affective Disorder.

WE lack sunshine and daylight in the winter months and so a lack of this can cause a feeling of depression in some people.

There are things that you can do to help yourself feel better during the dark months and a lot of them are FREE! 

FIRSTLY, make the most of every opportunity to get outside when there is some sunshine. Walk in your lunch break, wrap up and sit and soak up the natural vitamin D rays on your face. It doesn't matter if it's ten minutes or an hour, the natural sunshine will help you more than anything else.

TAKE a vitamin D supplement if you struggle to get outdoors because of work commitments, it will also make a huge difference to your mental and physical health.

EXERCISE when you can, if you can walk outside in the sunshine even better, but even a run on a treadmill, daily yoga, whatever it is make sure you do at least THREE exercise sessions a week to help boost your mood and keep your body healthy.

EAT a balanced and varied diet, avoid processed foods, sugar and alcohol as these things all lead to hormonal imbalance, anxiety and depression. Eat fresh foods, good protein, lots of vegetables and ensure that you drink plenty of fluids. We struggle to drink in the winter because we don't have that summer thirst, but herbal teas, warm drinks, they can help keep you hydrated.

ENSURE that you get a good night's sleep! Sleep is a healer, get an early night, drink chamomile tea, turn off your phone, read a book, have a warm lavender bath, get a really good bedtime routine and a good sleep. This will help rejuvenate you for the day, boost your mood, keep your hormones regulated and help your immune system.

SPEND time with friends and family, go to social exercise classes, workshops or other group activities, chances are, you aren't the only one feeling the winter blues and sharing your thoughts and feelings with others will help you feel not so alone. Social time is so very important.

There you go, brief run-down, more of a self-help note today than a blog but I do hope that it helps!

Keep smiling! :)

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