Beating the winter blues
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Make winter work for your wellbeing
If winter sometimes gets you down, you’re not alone. Loads of people lose their mojo – waking up tired, grumpy and very tempted to lock the door and stay home. The good news is that there are ways to beat those winter blues. Check out these ideas; if they work for you, spread the word to your friends, family and workmates!
Try something new?
Winter’s the perfect time to take on a new indoor challenge – like learning from others at seminars or evening classes, acquiring new skills in cooking or DIY, taking up a hobby like carpentry or knitting, or trying out a sport such as basketball or martial arts. Expand your mental and physical horizons and you’ll have fun, meet new people, improve your learning abilities, boost your self-confidence and grow as a person. You might even discover a hidden talent or two, which could lead to new personal and professional opportunities.
Get some natural light?
You may not feel like it, but it's important to get outside in winter and soak up at least 20 minutes of natural light a day. Those UV rays are minor miracle workers:
How about having lunch outdoors or taking a stroll to your local?café? While at work, try to spend time close to windows; if you have a desk there, all the better!
Stay on the move?
It’s easy to skip your workouts in winter, but exercise boosts energy levels and is a proven depression-buster. If time’s tight, do 10 minutes of skipping before your morning shower, run up and down the stairs at work, or google a HIT (high-intensity training) programme.?
Eat for health?
The old adage that ‘you are what you eat’ is as true in winter as it is at any other time of the year. Fast-food, sweet treats, fizzy drinks and alcohol all play havoc with your weight and wellbeing – so limit yourself to the occasional treat and balance your craving for comfort food with fresh fruit, nuts, grains and vegetables. Your body will thank you for it!?
Catch the zeds?
Sleep is as important to wellbeing as exercising and healthy eating, so it pays to get the right amount of shuteye. Aim for seven to eight hours a night and consistent bedtime/wake-up times. And try not to oversleep, as this can make you feel really tired.
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Keep your connections?
You might be tempted to hibernate, but mooching around at home isn’t the best way to get through a winter. Keep up those social get-togethers with friends and family, and take some time to help others. Research shows that volunteering does more than make you feel good; volunteers of all ages also have better health, more stamina and lower stress levels than non-volunteers. It’s also great for your CV!
See the funny side?
Make sure you put laughter in your life at work and at home. It's a powerful antidote to stress, pain and conflict, and a real asset for solving problems, enhancing relationships and being physically and emotionally healthy. Best of all, this priceless medicine is fun, free and easy to use.?
Look to the future?
One of the easiest and most effective ways to beat the winter blues is to plan something to look forward to. It might be a family reunion, a trip overseas, a concert out of town, or a plan for the garden to be implemented in spring. Take your time and enjoy the planning: anticipation can be just as exciting as the occasion you're planning for.?
Be kind to yourself?
If you’re struggling with the winter blues, remember that it’s normal – try not to beat yourself up about how you feel. If the symptoms are worrying you, talk about them with someone you trust – you might have Seasonal Affective Disorder, a form of depression that can be diagnosed and treated.
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Sources
? Southern Cross Medical Care Society
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I work in the Corporate Southern Cross schemes as an Account Manager
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