Ways to Improve Your Mental Health This Winter
While there are certainly things to enjoy during the winter months, it can also be a time when many struggle with their mental health. The shorter days, lack of sunshine, and colder weather can make people feel down, fatigued, and even depressed. Fortunately, there are some effective ways to improve your mental health this winter so that you can feel your best and enjoy everything that is special about this time of the year. Interested? Keep reading to find out more.
Spend Time in Nature
Spending time in nature is proven to have significant physical and mental health benefits, but people tend to spend more time inside during the colder months. Embracing the cold and heading out for daily walks in nature can do wonders for your mental health in winter by reducing stress, improving mood, and supporting emotional resilience. There can also be something special about wrapping up warm, heading out for a walk in the crisp air, and returning to get cosy at home that can be restorative in the winter months.
Reduce Screen Time
Research shows how too much screen time can affect mental well-being, yet many people find it hard to escape the “doomscrolling” habit, particularly in winter when more time is spent inside. Excessive screen use can lead to stress, anxiety, and disrupted sleep. This is why you should aim to reduce your screen time in winter – even just avoiding screens for an hour before bed can make a huge difference to your sleep, mood, and overall well-being.
Try Light Therapy
The lack of natural sunlight is one of the main causes of poor mental health in winter, especially when it comes to Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Natural light is vital for regulating your mood and maintaining your circadian rhythm (the body’s internal clock), so you should try to get as much daylight as possible, ideally when you first wake up. This is not always possible, so a SAD lamp is a smart investment that could boost your mood and energy levels in winter.
Use Enhanced CBD FECO
Many people find that CBD products can support their mental health and well-being. This winter, it is worth trying enhanced CBD FECO – this is full extract cannabis oil, which contains a broad spectrum of cannabinoids, terpenes, and other compounds. This work together to create the “entourage effect”, which can help with sleep, daily mood, and anxiety. You can get enhanced CBD FECo from specialist hemp suppliers like Myriam’s.
Volunteer
Winter is a time when many people struggle and need support. Volunteering can be a powerful way to improve your own mood during the colder months while also helping others, whether this is volunteering at a homeless shelter or doing food shopping for an elderly neighbor. This can provide a sense of purpose, help you connect with others, and make winter easier for yourself and others.
Hopefully, this post will give you a few ideas for ways to improve your mental health this winter. This can be a tough time of the year for many, but with a proactive approach, you can boost your mental health and appreciate the things that make this season special.