Winter warmers: five ways to wellbeing

As the nights draw in and we close the curtains earlier, it can feel a bit lonely and isolating. This article explores five ways to bring wellbeing and warmth into those darker days.

1. Bring light into the room

The lack of light can have a real effect on our mental health, as reduced exposure to natural daylight can affect our mood. We can also get very confused about the time of day, as our natural body clock gets out of rhythm.

So, what can we do to help? You would be amazed at how much bringing a little extra light into the room can help. Lighting a few candles, or adding a few extra lamps and lights around your space, can really help to lift the overall mood.

2. Focus on connection

Darker nights are often when we tend to bunker down and shut out the world. This can be great for rest, but for some people, it can feel quite lonely. It may help to think about how we choose to socialise, and technology can be very helpful with this.

To combat loneliness, it may help to schedule a regular video call with someone close to you or join an online interest group. These simple actions can help us to feel more connected and far less isolated during the darker days.

3. Get out during daylight

There is definitely less daylight in winter, but there is still daylight. Getting out into the fresh air during the morning and afternoon can be really helpful. A brisk walk is shown to reduce stress.

Kai started walking fifteen minutes each way to the bus stop, and he found that after doing this for two weeks, he felt much happier and calmer. He also appreciated the darker nights more because he had given himself more opportunity to be out in the daylight. Small changes like this can help us to feel a deep sense of calm during the darker days.

4. Try new things

The longer evenings can be a great opportunity to try something new and to learn a new skill. The shorter days give us a unique opportunity to keep our brains busy and to try something we have never tried before.

Bella decided that she would make her own cards for family members she didn't get to see very often. She dedicated half an hour each day to this project and was often amazed that it sometimes took more than an hour, which she really enjoyed. She found that by giving herself a short focus each evening, the darker days felt far less daunting.

5. Change what the dark nights mean to you

It is worth considering that there can be a lot of negative messages around winter. Comments such as "It’s dreary, isn't it?" or continuous talk about the darker days can heavily influence our perspective. It may help to see if you can challenge these thoughts and reframe winter as a positive opportunity.

This is what Amish did. They began telling themselves that the darker times were an opportunity to regroup and relax, rather than something to feel lonely and isolated about. Actively challenging this thought helped Amish start looking for opportunities to unwind and enjoy the time that the darker days provide. Amish noticed that this change in attitude helped them to feel much more positive overall.

This shows us that small changes that seem insignificant can be really helpful in making the most of the darker days.

The darker days give us a unique opportunity to try different things and help us learn more about ourselves. During quieter times, we can often discover new information about ourselves and develop new likes or interests we may never have imagined. So when we are feeling dreary, it may help to tell ourselves that this is an opportunity to connect, increase movement, change our attitude, or try something new.

I wonder which of the five suggestions you are drawn to? Maybe you would like to try all five, or you may have another idea. Give it a go; you may surprise yourself!