With Christmas soon approaching you can feel the festive spirit bubbling. Mariah Carey is defrosting as we speak and Michael Bublé is preparing to leave his year-long cave. However, with my favourite time of year also comes shorter days, longer nights, and (for the most part) miserable weather. Whilst Autumn and Winter are, in my opinion, the best seasons, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) can really put a dampener on the festive cheer.
If the darkness of this time of year is starting to affect your mental health, or you just want to improve your mental and emotional wellbeing in general, here’s my guide for you to help combat the doom and gloom…
[DISCLAIMER: mental health and mental illnesses are two very different things. This guide is designed to help improve your mental and emotional wellbeing. Activities and ideas like these will not “cure” your mental health and cannot be used in place of professional treatment, however, they can go a long way in improving our overall wellbeing, which can help each day be just a little bit better and brighter]
Spend time with friends
When I asked my friends what they do to help themselves feel better, almost everyone mentioned meeting up with a friend. Spending time with people who make you happy is guaranteed to put you in a better mood.
So if you’re feeling down, try reaching out to someone. Even if your social battery is running low, you could go sit in a cosy café together and read, or just stare out the window and people-watch. Being in the company of a loved one, even if it’s just sitting in silence, is like soup for the soul.
Practice self-care
If I’m going to nag you about anything, let it be this: Take. Your. Vitamins. Especially with shorter days and more darkness drawing in, start taking those Vitamin D supplements now and you’ll thank yourself (and me) later. Taking vitamins daily with a bottle of water also helps keep you hydrated, so it’s a win-win.
It may sound cliché, but there’s a reason face masks and a movie night are so on-brand with self-care. They really do help you feel better in the moment; you can pretend, with a sheet over your face and a drink in your hand, that you have your life together, if only temporarily. Take time for yourself to completely relax and detach from any external worries or stresses. So buy a face mask from your local shop, grab a warm drink, put on some Netflix, and cosy up under a blanket. If you’re stuck for ideas of what to watch, check out my November Watchlist.
have a cultural day
Go on, get your butt out to a gallery or museum. You can take yourself on a date or go with a friend, it doesn’t really matter. Getting yourself out and about and immersing yourself in an activity for just an hour or so will perk up your day.
London’s art scene is thriving right now. My personal favourites are the immersive exhibitions popping up everywhere: Klimt, Mexican Geniuses, and Frameless to name just a few. They are the perfect places to visit, explore, and lose yourself in the displays of light and colour. In a season of darkness and limited light, you’ll leave these exhibits feeling like you’ve had your daily dose of serotonin.
exercise
Don’t worry, I’m not suggesting you dust off that year-old gym membership and force yourself to join a spinning class. You can, of course, hit the gym, go on a run, do some pilates or yoga, cycle, walk, etc. It doesn’t matter what you choose to do. Just get your body moving in whatever way feels best for you.
This could be going on a stroll around your neighbourhood, through a park, or even shuffling to the shops and back in your sliders while listening to your favourite playlist. Like I said, just get outside and get moving. Walking has helped clear my head and ground myself. If you’re living in London, go and explore a part of the city you haven’t before. With the Christmas lights up, there’s no better time to have a wander, admire the city, and take a moment to breathe.
Cook a nutritious meal
This was another popular suggestion from people I asked. Now personally, I am definitely not a cook. I lived off sandwiches, soup, and other people’s generosity in my first year. However, on the rare occasion I have put together a half-decent meal, I’m always very proud of myself. It feels good to do something productive.
So, plan a time to wine and dine yourself, and do it. And if you’re feeling in a productive mood that day then do that task that’s been nagging you for days, maybe even weeks. Get it ticked off your mental to-do list and say good riddance. Then pat yourself on the back afterward. You should be proud.
try something new
Is there something you’ve always wanted to do but never got around to it? Do it. Yep, do it right now. Go join a dance class, or attend an open adult gymnastics session. Hop on the crocheting train or knit yourself a jumper or scarf for your next cultured art exhibit outing (wink wink). Go on Duolingo and start learning a language. Journal and pour out any worries or stresses onto the page, and reflect on what you’re grateful for. Go buy some crystals, start painting, crafting, learn to rollerblade…honestly anything.
It can be big or little, but watch as those feelings of pride, achievement, and excitement rush through you and make your dopamine-hungry brain very happy.
take time for yourself
While this does come under self-care, I think it’s so important it deserves its own sub-heading. It’s normal to need time for yourself. It’s okay to say no to social plans if your battery needs recharging. It’s not the end of the world to put off that assignment until tomorrow if you’re having a bad day. It’s healthy and it’s vital that you recognise when your mind might be a little bit exhausted, and that you listen to it when it’s telling you to take a break.
This can include any of the above activities or nothing at all. You can read, cook, stroll, watch your favourite show, or journal. Or just lie in bed and take a minute, an hour, a whole day. An important thing to remember is: rest is also productive.
There’s only one you, and you’re very important, so make sure you take care of yourself.