Winter is associated with poor mental health and low moods; it could be to do with the lower light levels, the change in atmosphere, or the pressures of the festive season. Whatever the reason, there are ways to combat your mental health and ensure you enjoy more of winter.
Natural Light
Exposure to natural light is important for overall mental health and wellbeing, but in the winter, it is harder to find. During the winter, the days are shorter, and the nights are longer; that’s why the clocks change so commuters can benefit from more light in the mornings and afternoons.
When we don’t get enough natural light, it affects our moods and circadian rhythms, meaning it can impact our sleep patterns as well. If you want to get more natural light during the winter, go for nature walks in the afternoon and make sure your curtains are open throughout the daytime.
Forward Planning
If you don’t plan ahead for the winter, you can find yourself in a bit of a frenzy, fast food can become a habit and impact your overall health, or you might not have enough time in the week to go for a nature walk, get some exercise, or get some therapy, which can impact your health.
Forward planning is all about anticipating what you think you might need to look after your mental health during one of the most challenging times of the year. Think about what you are going to eat, how long you intend to sleep, and whether you want to have some therapy.
Communication
Everyone experiences mental health issues from time to time, and these issues can range from mild to severe. Sometimes a trigger will occur, and all of a sudden, you find yourself in a blizzard of thoughts, feelings, and ideas. You might not feel like talking to someone, but it can really help.
If you don’t think you are in the mood to speak to someone, why not lift the phone to a friend, family member, or a counselling helpline? Helplines are excellent resources at times like this because you can talk to someone who is trained to listen and ask you appropriate questions.
Health Therapies
Depending on the nature of your mental health, you might go through cycles that are better or worse, or you might only encounter mental health issues every once in a while. Either way, it’s a great idea to find out more about what’s going on by talking to a professional at Psymplicity.
When you understand more about your condition, you can take steps to improve it using best practices; a lot of people benefit from regular therapy and treatments to maintain better overall mental wellbeing. Consider talking therapy, aromatherapy, mindfulness, or simply exercise.
Physical Health
On the topic of exercise, it is still one of the best ways to improve your overall mental health. Nowadays, a lot of people spend too much time in their homes and offices and don’t make use of their physical bodies. But movement is excellent for the body-mind connection and waistline.
Image Credits: THE 5TH
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