Beat the winter blues

With the excitement of Christmas behind us and our natural energy stores running low, it’s not surprising that January can be a bit of a slog.

But rather than taking comfort in yet another box of leftover chocolates, there are much healthier ways to get the feel-good factor and avoid succumbing to the dreaded winter blues.

Here are some suggestions for putting a spring in your step…

Nurture your mind and body

Eating the right foods is not only essential for maintaining good physical health – it can also help to lift your mood and provide a long-lasting boost in both energy and focus.

Make sure you eat a well-balanced diet packed with plenty of vitamins and minerals – as far as possible, choose natural, non-processed and organic foods from the full spectrum of colours to give you the antioxidants you need for optimum brain and body health. Try to include more high-quality protein as well - it helps to balance blood sugar levels and will make you feel fuller for longer.

Are you drinking enough fluids? And no, coffee doesn’t count! Even mild dehydration can affect you mentally and physically so keep that water bottle topped up – add flavour if you need to by infusing with berries, herbs or slices of cucumber.

Pledge to move more in 2022. Setting yourself some goals could help with this – they don’t have to be record-breaking, simply committing to a ten-minute walk at lunchtimes or working up to a 60-second plank each day could be enough to ramp up those endorphins.

Get back to nature

Spending time in green space or bringing nature into your everyday life can also benefit your mental and physical wellbeing.

Just being outside in the fresh air for a few minutes a day can do wonders for your mood and if the sun happens to be shining even better – sunlight causes us to produce vitamin D, which is known to have positive benefits on the psyche.

From coast to countryside, our homes are ideally located to enjoy the outdoors. Benefitting from open green space together with attractive parks and woodland, you can look forward to taking a leisurely stroll, staying active with loved ones or exploring with a four-legged friend!

If – like with most Places for People homes – your home has its own outdoor space, don’t underestimate the power of gardening to improve your overall health. But if it’s too cold just yet, invest in a few bird feeders and comfortably observe the wildlife instead.

Start something new

Taking up a new project or hobby ¬– anything that pulls you out of your normal, everyday routine – can be a great way to overcome boredom and negative feelings. It can be absolutely anything. You could try a yoga session, watch a movie in a new cinema, head to a restaurant you’ve never been to before or even learn to play an instrument.

If you’re keen to expand your network, see what groups are running in your local area or consider volunteering – it’s a great way to meet new people, and by helping others you’re contributing to your own wellbeing too.

Or maybe it’s new surroundings that you’re looking for? In which case, a brand-new Places for People home – offering spacious, open-plan living alongside a wealth of amenities close by – could be just the thing to banish those winter blues.

With spring just around the corner, what better time to focus on new beginnings?

Discover more.