Ways to keep your spirits up

Shorter days and cold, wet weather can make winter a tough time. You might find it more difficult to get out and about and find that your mood is lower, too. The good news is that there are things you can do to feel better.

Stay connected

You might choose to meet up in person less often during the winter – but a phone call or video call with a loved one can make a huge difference to how we feel.

Whether it's just picking up the phone when you fancy a chat, or making it a regular part of your routine, it's important to stay connected.

Find out more about how to make video calls

Keep moving and eat well

Being active – even just a little bit – is proven to help give your mood a boost. A quick walk down the street, a dance around the kitchen or a satisfying stretch in bed or a chair are all good pick-me-ups. Our section on being active can help you find an activity that suits you. 

Keep an eye on your appetite. If you're finding it difficult to cook and manage big meals, try eating little and often. If you're struggling to eat enough, then it's better to eat a bit of what you fancy than nothing at all.

If you can, it's important to eat a varied diet to get enough energy and nutrients to avoid malnutrition. 

Find out more about malnutrition on the Malnutrition Task Force website

If we move more and eat well, it can also help to reduce falls and maintain mobility. Do what you can, and if you're concerned, speak to a healthcare professional. 

Do something you enjoy every day

Lots of people find a daily routine helpful. A sense of consistency can help us build up good habits.

You don’t have to map out whole days – just having regular times to do things like get up, have a cup of tea or prepare food, and a small task to do each day can make all the difference.

It's important to include things you enjoy in your day and make them part of your routine. Is there an old hobby you used to enjoy that you could pick up again? Are there any books you've been meaning to read or films that have caught your eye?

If you're not feeling very motivated to do things, you're not alone. You might find that you start to enjoy things more as you get more into the habit of doing them. But if you've been feeling low for some time then it's a good idea to speak to a healthcare professional about how you’re feeling.

Find out more about how to look after your mental health

Reach out when things are feeling tough

Lots of things can leave us feeling anxious and worried – whether it's to do with our personal lives or things that are happening around the world. It's important to remember that you're not alone in feeling this way.

If you’ve been feeling down for a while and it’s stopping you from doing the things that matter, making you feel listless or like you don’t have any energy, you don’t have to go through it alone.

Talk to friends or family, and if things have been this way for a while or are starting to worry yourself or those around you, speak to a healthcare professional. Healthcare services are still here for you, and it’s important to get support when you need it.

The development of this information was supported by an educational grant from Seqirus.