The winter months can be challenging for many of us. Brighter days and other outdoor activities that come with spring and summer give way to more time spent indoors, and shorter days mean less exposure to natural light. By adopting some simple self-care habits, you can boost your mental and physical health and enjoy the months ahead!
Get moving
Getting your daily activity in doesn’t have to mean sweating it out with high impact workouts. It’s important to listen to your body and pick a form of movement that works for you – whether that’s a brisk walk to get your 10,000 steps in, a spinning class or a yoga workout. Whichever form you choose, evidence has shown that only 30mins of exercise a day can boost mood and reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression.
Talk it out
Make the time to catch up with a friend or a family member. Sometimes just talking can help build a sense of belonging and self-worth, give you an opportunity to share positive experiences, and provide emotional support and allow you to support others
Prioritise those Zs
Sleep and stress are closely linked and there’s never been a more important time to focus on getting enough shut-eye. If you’re having sleep problems, here are 3 simple steps you can take to ease those restless nights – stick to a sleep routine where possible, heading to bed and rising at roughly the same time, remove caffeine and high sugar drinks in the 2nd half of the day & ditching technology a couple of hours before bedtime.
Use tech wisely
Tech has got a bad rap lately, but most of us would have been lost this year without our beloved devices and apps (yes, even those dreaded Zoom quizzes). But don’t forget to carve out offline time, too – especially when it comes to social media. While social media can help provide a sense of community, studies have suggested a link between heavy use and increased risk of depression, anxiety and loneliness, especially among young people.
Eat Healthy
Vegetables and fruits are without a doubt some of the best nutritious fit foods! Don’t drink 10 cups of anything in a day, unless it’s water! But healthy eating also means having a healthy attitude toward food. Enjoy meals with friends, try new foods and try not to obsess over food.
Be Nice to Yourself
When you are feeling down, it is easy to be hard on yourself. While you might not be of the mind to congratulate or compliment yourself, try being compassionate. And here is a little bonus hint: If you really are struggling to be nice to yourself, do something nice for someone else. Then, compliment yourself on doing it!