Surviving the Winter Blues

The 21st January is labelled as Blue Monday – the most depressing day of the year, well that is according to the PR company for a travel agent who came up with the concept in 2005. It seems their campaign took off and now we’re left being told how we should be feeling on a day that was intended to sell holidays!

Surviving the Winter

Some days it can feel a bit like we’re surviving winter, and for some the ‘Winter Blues’ can be a really tough battle with depression through these dark, cold months.

Tips to help beat the winter blues

Do you struggle in the winter months? Here are some tips to help you manage:

1. Get outside in the daylight hours – it’s tough going to school or work in the dark, and arriving home when it’s dark too. Try to get outside in the daylight hours, take a walk in your lunch break, even if it’s raining!
2. Eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables – these cold days mean we can be reaching for those hearty comfort foods, be sure to include plenty of varied fruit and vegetables in your diet too.
3. Get a daily dose of Vitamin D – Vitamin D has a huge impact on how our brain and body function. Over 1 billion people in the world are deficient; we should all take a supplement especially during the winter months.
4. Talk to someone – it’s very easy to go into hibernation mode – meet up with a friend and let them know how you’re feeling, talking really does help.
5. Seek help – if you feel like it’s a bit too much, and you’re struggling to cope. Seek help and visit your GP, or contact one of these helplines.

Put your mental health first

Join the #EatMoveLoveMovement – sign up to our free 10 weekly emails. We’ll send you a weekly email over ten weeks, with some simple tips to remind you to put your mental health first.