How to: Get Through The Winter Blues

Let’s face it, winter can be depressing. Some days no amount of roast potatoes can rid you of the seasonal sads and the temptation to crawl back into your duvet dungeon hits different. It’s not just you, this time of year can be a real slog. If winter’s bogging you down, here’s some stuff to help.

There are things about this time of year that can make it super tough on your mental health. And around 2 million people in the UK suffer from seasonal depression. Short days, high heating bills, the social lull when all your mates just want to hibernate, and the bugs that come with colder weather - it’s no surprise we can feel a bit bleh.

Then there's everything that comes with one year coming to a close and the pressures of starting a new one. It might not feel like it, but just like winter, shitty days will pass, but if you’re struggling to see a way forward remember our services are here for you.

Read on for some proper good advice on getting through winter.

1. Get Outside

It’s hard enough to find the courage to get out of a hot shower, let alone the house, when it’s cold out, but daylight makes a world of difference. Natural light is pretty damn good at raising serotonin levels (that’s your body’s feel-good hormone), so just seeing a bit of sunshine can make a big change to your mood.

Quiet your inner vampire and take a quick walk outside, even if it’s just for fifteen minutes, or sit by a sunny window for a while - pretending you're in a sad music video is optional. If squeezing that into your day is a struggle, plan your days off around some outdoor activities, even if it’s just a leg stretch around the local park.

2. Stay Connected

Did you know that the cold weather can literally make us feel more lonely? It’s super tempting to hunker down and switch off all your social buttons this time of year, but maybe we all just need to be a bit more penguin about winter. No, not huddling up with your mates to keep warm - but sticking with people you care about to help pull you out of the slump.

If you’re not up for IRL meets, check in with a call or find something you can do together that doesn’t involve much effort, like watching a match or a movie. Looking to connect with your community? Check out some events nearby or do something you love locally.

3. Keep Moving

It’s scarily easy to go a full eight hours without moving on a miserable day. Us humans are a bit like big walking solar panels. When we don’t get enough vitamin D from the sun we slow right down. That makes finding the energy to exercise extra tough, but those post-exercise endorphins can do a lot for your head.

Movement doesn’t have to mean a sweaty gym sesh or reaching for your running shoes, it could be a kitchen dance or a kick about with your mates. Whatever makes you feel good.

4. Do stuff that makes you feel good

While there are some real crappy things about winter, there can be good stuff too, you might just need to look a bit harder to find them. It’s a time to indulge in the small things, like building the ultimate cheese toastie, or having an excuse to tuck into your favourite TV series. Doing the things you enjoy can really help your head.

Winter can open up space for you to do stuff you might not have time for in summer, like those neglected hobbies or rediscovering an old video game. And if you’re struggling to find good stuff in the now, spend some time planning good stuff to do when the sun shows up again.

A recent study found that we might actually need more sleep in winter, so if all you did today was read this article from your duvet dungeon, that’s okay.

Whatever you’re feeling, let yourself off the hook this winter. And if you want advice on any issues you might be facing then the CALM Guides are full of useful stuff.