Winter is a time of year that many people find hard. The darker days and less opportunity to socialise can increase feelings of low mood and depression. At this time many of us focus on practical tasks to get our homes ready for the winter months – from calling someone like this emergency plumber Gloucester https://www.hprservicesltd.com/emergency-plumber-gloucester/ to sort out boiler problems before the cold weather sets in, to changing the duvets to winter ones.
But something that we must remember to take good care of during these cold and dark months are our minds and bodies. Mental health as well as physical health can decline in the winter, so it is important to know how to take care of yourself throughout the winter time…
In the winter, there are less opportunities to socialise – gone are the sunny days where people were inclined to get out and about, and particularly for older people or people living on their own, this can be hard and cause loneliness. Try to arrange some clubs or chat to family, even if on the phone or on zoom regularly in order to stay in touch and keep the loneliness at bay.
Seasonal affective disorder is common in the winter where many more people can tend to feel down and depressed. Light boxes can help with this as they mimic the daylight that you naturally receive in the warmer months, as well as getting out of doors when the sun is shining and doing some exercise. If you are feeling very down and depressed it is important to make an appointment to speak to your doctor who will be able to refer you to talking therapies and give you medication to help.
Winter illnesses are part and parcel of the season, but this year it is more important than ever to protect yourself, as there are lots of colds and bugs like flu and norovirus set to come back with a vengeance! Keeping up with the regular hand washing that was one of the main pieces of advice to protect against coronavirus is important, but you can also make sure that you are taking the right vitamins that your body needs to combat illnesses over the winter months. Herbal remedies like elderberry can give your immune system a boost when taken daily and provides you with a good source of vitamin C which is important for the immune system. Vitamin D is also something that you should take in the winter.
Exercise during the winter is also something that people tend to do less of, and this can lead to health and mobility problems as well as a lower mood. Wrap up warm and enjoy a walk in the woods or go to the gym to exercise indoors if you prefer to stay in the warm – swimming or learning a new sport for example can be a great way to stay fit and healthy over the winter.