Ways to beat the winter blues
By Amanda Scali

Do you find that winter can be a challenging time to stay positive and see the good in the world?

 
Many of us feel lethargic and ‘down’ in the winter months.
 
 
You might be struggling with all 2020 has thrown at you, or you might just be feeling a bit flat and over this year.

 
There are some simple things you can do to get through winter and keep your mental health intact by putting your self-care at the forefront of your mind. From doing more exercise to eating the right food, there's plenty you can do to put the spring back into your step.

 
Here are some ideas for beating the winter blues.
 
Mindset is Key
 
Being in the right mindset can help you beat the winter blues. Use the colder months to learn a new skill, enjoy the slower days, cooking at home and just to be present. You can also use this time to plan fun things to do when the summer months come around again, so you have something to look forward too.
 
 
Exercise
 
The simplest means of beating the winter blues is to force yourself to stay active, even when it’s dark and cold.

 
Research has shown that even a 15-minute walk in the middle of the day is enough to increase crucial neurotransmitters, such as dopamine and norepinephrine, which help energise the brain and regulate circadian rhythms.
 

So, get out of bed and get moving.

 
Yoga and Meditation
 
Yoga and meditation can do wonders for keeping your mind healthy and help you feel content through the shorter days and cooler nights.

 
Both yoga and meditation are a practice of going inwards and calming the body from the inside out. If you have a lot of nervous energy, both of these practices can really help you get through your days.
 

Chase sunshine
 
Literally… if you see sunshine outside - get out and follow it and stand or sit in it, even for a short period at a time. If you don't want to go outside, sit by a window and let the sunshine hit your body.

 
Eat well
 
This one is probably a given, but when you feed your body with nourishing and whole foods, you are going to be feeling a lot better about the world. Think hearty minestrone soup, and lots of winter veggies.

 
Citrus is also usually in ample supply, so try adding some of that to your daily diet as well.

 
We can often turn to things that might not be the best for us when we are cold, so try and keep your diet as healthy as possible.