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How to beat the winter blues

3 December 2024

2 mins

Illustration of a windowsill with Christmas lights hanging, snow outside the window, a candle, books, biscuits, and a mug of hot chocolate.

As the days get shorter and temperatures drop, winter brings unique challenges for both our physical and mental health.

Winter colds, lower energy, and seasonal affective disorder (SAD) can impact our wellbeing and productivity. For some, the run-up to Christmas can also heighten feelings of stress and anxiety.

Here are some tips to keep yourself healthy during winter:

  • Get a flu vaccination – Find out how you can get the vaccine
  • Stay warm – Cold weather can increase blood pressure and breathing in cold air can increase the risk of chest infections, so it’s important to ensure your home is the right temperature, the Energy Saving Trust recommends heating your home to between 18-21 degrees Celsius
  • Take a vitamin D supplement – According to the NHS, between October and early March we do not make enough vitamin D from sunlight, government advice is that everyone should consider taking a daily vitamin D supplement during the autumn and winter
  • Regularly sanitise your workspace – Use disinfectant to clean surfaces and make sure to switch off devices before sanitising
  • Try light therapy – Light therapy lamps can be an effective treatment for seasonal affective disorder (SAD)
  • Incorporate key nutrients into your diet – As well as vitamin D, other important nutrients to keep you healthy in winter include vitamin C, iron, zinc, and vitamin B6
  • Use a good moisturiser – Cold, dry air in winter can strip your skin of moisture

Try out some of these self-care ideas to lift your mood

  • Start a journal – Document your thoughts and goals, you can pick up a free copy of the LU Arts journal
  • Decorate your home or office with seasonal colours and decorations
  • Create a winter reading list – You can borrow books from Pilkington Library on campus and explore their online reading lists
  • Create a vision board for the year ahead – Try using Canva’s Vision Board Maker
  • Do some winter baking – Experiment with comforting seasonal recipes
  • Create a self-care box – Include your favourite book, photos, snacks, or anything that brings you joy
  • Go for a walk with a hot drink

Hopefully some of these ideas will help you stay healthy and brighten your winter.

Health and Wellbeing

Wellbeing means being in a positive physical, social and mental state. Wellbeing is important to us as happy, healthy people who achieve harmony in their work / life mix are more creative, productive and help to create a great place to work.

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