As winter rolls around, you might be feeling a little down in the dumps. The colder months can sometimes affect your mood, making it essential to prioritise your mental health. However, there are plenty of things you can do to look after your mental health when you need it most. Let’s take a look at those now.

Get enough sunlight

Making the effort to go outside into the sun at least once a day for 10 minutes can completely change your mood. Exposure to even 10 minutes of vitamin D can help start the day off right. Make sure to open your curtains during the day to let in as much natural light as possible. You could also invest in a light therapy lamp. They mimic sunlight and can help regulate your mood, especially on cloudy days where you might not see the sun.

Stay active

It’s easy to fall into a more sedentary lifestyle during the colder months, but now more than ever it’s important to stay active. If you don’t want to leave the house, you could do indoor activities like yoga, or even follow a workout video on YouTube. Exercise releases endorphins, which help regulate your mood. Plus, you’ll stay in shape and have one less thing to add to your new year’s resolutions!

Investigate other reasons for your troubles

Sometimes the season might not be the cause of your mental health problems. If you’ve been feeling out of whack, you might have something else that’s affecting the way you think. Many people don’t know that they have neurological conditions that could be affecting their everyday lives. If you think this might be the case for you, consider getting yourself tested. You can search online for ADHD testing near me to book an appointment and see if this is what is making you feel that way.

Connect with nature

Being outdoors can do wonders for the mind, body and soul. Making the effort to spend more time outside will help soothe anxieties and make you feel calmer. Taking a brisk walk after lunch is a great time to head outside – and get some all important exercise in too! If you have a family, why not make it a daily tradition to bundle up and head outside to enjoy some time with nature?

Get enough sleep

Easier said than done, but getting enough sleep will affect your mood and the way you see things. If you have trouble falling asleep, try cutting out devices an hour before bed and create a sleep routine. This could be heading for a warm bath or drinking a cup of decaf tea before bed. Once you find what works for you, you’ll find it much easier to fall asleep and get a good night of rest.

Nourish your body

Finally, it might be tempting to divulge in all of the delicious treats the festivities bring, but it’s important to keep your body nourished. Eat plenty of fruit and vegetables as well as foods that are rich in omega 3. You’ll notice how good you feel in next to no time at all!