Winter can be a difficult time of the year for many. As the days fall shorter, darker, and colder, our mental health is impacted. You may feel the urge to stay in bed for longer and are less likely to want to go outside.
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a form of depression that commonly occurs within winter. Some symptoms include low mood, social isolation and difficulties engaging in day-to-day tasks. It has been found that SAD is associated with limited exposure to sunlight, particularly during autumn and winter (NHS, 2022)
Ways to cope in Winter
- Routine
A way to help make better use of the sunlight could be to plan your day and develop a routine. This way, you can do the things you need to do whilst still being able to enjoy the natural daylight.
- Physical Well-being
Taking care of your physical health and well-being is essential, especially in improving your mood. You can try engaging in physical activities (nothing too tiring!) such as going for a walk. Please don’t forget to wrap up warm! Maybe take a hot drink with you.
- Reach Out
We understand that it is not easy to talk to someone, especially if you are not feeling so great within yourself. However, it can be useful to reach out to someone who understands what you are experiencing. Maybe let someone close to you know your symptoms when you feel low or are struggling.