Winter is a season of shorter days and cooler weather. Once the temperatures start dropping and the nights draw in earlier, many of us notice a dip in our moods.
With the ongoing pandemic adding another level to this, now more than ever we need to take the time to focus on our wellbeing in winter – as well as the rest of the year.
While we can’t control many of the challenges around us, we can protect our own mental health and wellbeing during this season. Below, you’ll find some handy winter wellbeing tips that should help to lift your spirits during this period.
Have a pamper day
Can you remember the last time you truly relaxed at home alone? If you haven’t had the house to yourself for a while, it’s time to book a day off work and indulge in some me-time. Is there a book you have fancied reading recently? Perhaps there are a couple of podcasts you have wanted to listen to but haven’t had the chance? If so, a pamper day will provide you with the time to completely unwind.
The only list you need to make this day should look a little bit like this: Go for a walk, have a bath, put a face mask on, read a book and then slip into a snuggly pair of pyjamas.
See friends
Catching up with friends can be an instant mood lifter. Our nearest and dearest listen to our worries and share funny stories to help make us laugh. With all the strict rules in place this year, it hasn’t been easy to see the ones that we care about most. However, we are all allowed a socially distanced meeting with our friends in an open space, so the park bench will just have to do for now. Don’t forget to wrap up warm with some stylish thermals before heading outside!
Experiment with hearty dishes
There is nothing better than comfort food in winter. From cottage pie and chilli con carne, to stew and macaroni cheese, tucking into these classics will help to warm you up on a cold night. Not only can cooking help to get your creative juices flowing, but it can also be a great stress-reliever. Pick up some seasonal produce from your local market, or try a couple of ingredients you have never used before to experiment with.
Treat yourself
We all deserve a treat from time to time. If you’ve had your eye on a pair of chic leather boots, warm winter coat or new handbag for a while now, why not go ahead and buy something for yourself? Even small things can bring you joy, such as jewellery, picture frames or even a new cookbook. There’s no doubt that you always put others first, so now it’s your turn for a treat!
Try journaling
If you have been feeling particularly stressed or low recently, psychologists believe that writing down what you’re thinking and how you’re feeling can have huge health benefits. Getting into the practice of putting pen to paper gives you the opportunity to focus your mind and release the thoughts in your head, allowing you to let go of the stress that your worries are causing. If this winter has been a particularly tough time for you, this exercise has the potential to really help boost your mood.
Sleep well
Getting a good night’s sleep is essential all year round. However, in winter, many of us tend to feel sleepier due to an increase in the production of melatonin, the sleep hormone. If this is the case for you, you may even want to get into bed an hour earlier than usual, so that you can feel truly refreshed when your alarm goes off in the mornings.
In order to achieve an undisturbed night’s sleep, try going to bed at the same time every night, popping on your favourite nightwear, switching off your screen an hour before you go to bed and avoiding caffeine after 6pm.
It’s worth trying all these tips to help look after your wellbeing in winter. Also, if you’re planning on spending more time outdoors seeing friends, or simply want to invest in some warmer, cosier clothes for the season, you can shop our range of thermals and nightwear online.
For more style inspiration, visit the Damart blog.