There’s lots of great information online to support you with your mental health. That might be exploring self-help techniques, learning out about different mental health conditions, finding local services and groups, or hearing from someone in the same boat as you. It’s good to seek out information from reputable sources and we’ve listed a few below.
Mental health
The shorter days and cold, wet mornings can have an adverse effect on our mental health as the changing of the seasons can creep up on us unexpectedly.
We are typically urged to pay more attention to the physical health of ourselves and our loved ones in winter, but, it is just as important to pay close attention to our mental health and that can start online.
Talking Therapies are a psychological therapy service offering a range of free talking therapies to people aged 16 and over in Lancashire and 18 and over in South Cumbria.
Talking Therapies can help with a variety of problems. Some of the most common mental health problems we work with are panic disorder, depression, postnatal depression, generalised anxiety disorder, chronic worry, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), health anxiety and social anxiety.
Our Talking Therapies service have made it easier than ever to self-refer. Visit the Talking Therapies website and look for the pop-up chat bot or self-referral form to get going - Talking Therapies :: Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust
Maintaining a routine during winter and staying well at work can be a challenge, but it is important to do the things that make you feel good to avoid getting stuck in a rut.
Here are some helpful tips for you to stay well and boss work this winter.
Making the most of your break times
Make the most of your break times at work by embracing winter, wrapping up warm and taking a walk. Especially if you work in an office environment and spend a lot of time sitting down, getting out in the fresh air and walking for as little as 10 minutes can make the world of difference to your mood. To learn more about how walking for just 10 minutes a day can benefit your life, visit the NHS website.
Alternatively, if you spend much of your day on your feet, taking some time for simple mindfulness or meditation can relieve stress, improve productivity and help to keep you well. To learn more about getting started with mindfulness, visit the NHS website.
Workplace support systems
If your mental health is having an impact at work, find out if your employer offers support services or counselling. These can be expensive if using them privately, but many employers provide support for their colleagues through an employee assistance programme.
As well as mental health support, they typically offer information and guidance on various lifestyle issues such as financial wellbeing and addiction.
If you feel this would be useful, try speaking to your line manager or your HR department who can point you in the right direction.
If this isn’t available in your workplace, you can self-refer to Talking Therapies.
Fatigue and burnout
Fatigue and burnout aren’t a normal part of going to work. No matter if you are in a physically demanding job, or work more office based, it can affect anyone.
Becoming run-down and tired can result in our bodies taking longer to overcome winter illnesses like common colds and coughs and can result in more serious seasonal viruses, like flu and COVID-19, taking a significant hold on us.
Getting six to nine hours of sleep, coupled with a healthy, balanced diet can make a lot of difference to your general energy levels and help your body recover after a busy day to keep you at your best.
If you’re feeling tired and fatigued but don’t know why, or you feel tired and have other symptoms, such as weight loss or mood changes, or you've been told you're making gasping, snorting or choking noises when you're asleep, it is important that you speak to your GP. For more information about tiredness, fatigue and burnout, visit the NHS website - Tiredness and fatigue - NHS
Planning and sticking to a routine can be daunting for some people, whilst for others, it is the key to keeping them performing at their best. Breaking your week down into small, manageable chunks and planning accordingly can help you stay on track to deal with the hurdles winter can sometimes bring.
Taking some time at the weekend to plan for the week ahead can make your day-to-day feel less daunting.
Consider meal prepping healthy lunch boxes, reviewing your calendar and pencilling in some time to get fresh air or exercise. Co-ordinating this with the other people in your household can make the world of difference, and by dividing up tasks and chores you can free up time time for the things that make you feel great.