Chichester Wellbeing's top tips to tackle seasonal low mood

Cold, dark months are notorious for bringing spirits down - here's how you can fight it

The latter months of the year are notorious for disrupting your body clock, muddling your hormones and leaving you feeling down.

However, there are things you can easily do to bring your body back into balance. Chichester Wellbeing, who work to support local people with small lifestyle changes, have shared their five top tips to tackle seasonal low mood as we enter shorter, darker, colder days.  

Make sure you're getting enough daylight 

Chichester Wellbeing suggest that you should "get as much daylight as possible". You can do this with simple changes such as, if working from home, move your workspace closer to a window. Exposure can increase the "happy hormone" in the day, helping the "sleepy hormone" at night, meaning you'll get a better night's sleep. 

They add, "Better sleep will equal a better mood."

Gratitude is key

While it can be easy to focus on being cold, or it getting dark at 5pm, it's important to remember happy memories associated with this time of year.

"This could be cosy evenings, hot drinks, crisp mornings, Christmas, better sleep." Chichester Wellbeing prompt. 

Practicing gratitude each day can help with feeling "as positive as possible" when "times can seem harder."

Get some vitamin D

Chichester Wellbeing share that "most of the UK are deficient in this over winter as we do not get enough sunlight over the winter months."

They continue that by taking a vitamin D supplement daily, your health and mood will improve. Supplements can be bought in most local pharmacies. 

Work out your way

Exercise is also important in the winter months - with the Wellbeing group recommending to keep to the general recommendation of 150 minutes per week. 

They suggest adapting activities to "what works more for you when it is darker/colder", including swapping the gym for home workouts and moving classes to a lunch break.

Keep a good routine 

Chichester Wellbeing also suggest making the most of "daytime motivation." This could be as simple as planning to cook or exercise in the day, so there's "less pressure when winding down in the darker evenings."

"A good routine is key."

Chichester Wellbeing is a free service that also offer support to lose weight, eat healthier, quit smoking, reduce alcohol intake, improve emotional wellbeing or get more active. You can get in touch with them by emailing wellbeing@chichester.gov.uk, or ringing 01243 521041. 

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