When it gets colder and darker outside, we can sometimes feel low. Here are some things we can do to support ourselves during winter.
Keep active
It can be hard to stay active in the winter. But exercise can help to reduce stress, give us more energy and improve our sleep. Exercise does not mean we have to go to the gym or play sports. It could mean dancing in your chair, walking to work or doing some gentle stretches.
Get out of the house
In winter, we often spend much less time out and about. But getting a bit of sunlight during the day is really good for us. You could go for a long walk with a friend, take a bike ride or even just walk to the shop.
Stay connected
We often spend more time indoors during winter. If your energy levels are low, you may not feel like going out or talking to people. But over time, being alone can turn into loneliness. Making time to see people or phone our friends can help us to feel connected.
Learn new things
Learning new things can boost our confidence. And there are lots of new things we can learn while we are indoors in winter. For example, take up a new hobby like knitting, painting or cooking.
For more information on looking after yourself in Winter, see Health in Mind’s resource.
Other services
If you are finding things hard, you can contact one of the following services:
The Samaritans
The Samaritans offer a safe place for you to talk any time you like. You can talk in your own way about whatever is going on. They have a helpline, email service, letter service and a self-help app.
Open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Phone for free on 116123
Breathing Space
Breathing Space is a free and confidential phone service for anyone in Scotland over the age of 16 who is feeling low, depressed or anxious.
Open 6pm to 2am Monday to Thursday, and 6pm to 6am Friday to Sunday.
Phone for free on 0800 83 85 87
Shout
Shout is a free, confidential, text messaging support service for anyone who is finding it difficult to cope.
Text SHOUT to 85258
In winter we spend more time indoors. So, why not try a new recipe? Here we share ND’s recipe for delicious cherry cake.
Ingredients
175 grams butter, at room temperature
175 grams caster sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
220 grams self-raising flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
150 grams glace cherries
You will also need:
- a loaf tin
- a sheet of baking paper
- a wire rack
Method
Start by preheating the oven to Gas 4 / 180C / 160C fan / 350 F
Then follow the instructions below.
1) Grease a loaf tin with a little bit of butter. Then press in your baking paper. A standard 1 lb loaf tin will be fine.
2) Wash the cherries under the tap.
3) Dry the cherries.
4) Roll the cherries in a little bit of self raising flour. This helps to stop them sinking to the bottom of the cake.
5) In a bowl, mix the butter and sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy.
6) Beat one egg into the mixture.
7) Beat the second egg into the mixture.
8) Add the vanilla extract.
9) Add the baking powder.
10) Add the flour.
11) Stir the flour into the mixture
12) Add the cherries and stir them through the mixture.
13) Put your cake mixture into the tin and smooth the top of it with a spoon.
14) Put the tin on the middle shelf of the oven for about an hour. (Keep an eye on it to make sure the top does not burn. If it starts going brown too quickly, you can put a bit of foil on top of it loosely.)
15) After an hour’s cooking, put a skewer or a knife into the cake. If the knife comes out clean, your cake is ready.
16) Take the cake out of the oven. Take it out of the cake tin and cool on a wire rack. Enjoy a slice with a cup of tea!