Winter is here, no doubt about it. And as the days get shorter and the temperature drops, it’s often harder to keep the mood light and positive compared to the sunny summer months. Colder, longer evenings mean that many of us spend more time at home, becoming less active and less sociable. If your child has just started school, or flown the nest to go to university, there may be an empty nest to cope with too.
Whatever your personal situation, trying to stay positive can help in a number of ways. Of course everyone has their less positive times which is normal, but by looking after yourself and considering some of the below you can help to make being positive that little bit easier.
What are the benefits of being positive?
- Improved ability to cope with stress
- Positive impact on physical wellbeing
- Reduced risk of depression
- Able to build resilience better
Ways to help increase your positivity:
Get out more
Rather than being home alone, it’s important to connect socially, particularly during this time of year. Keep in touch with your friends and organise social meet-ups or activities you can all enjoy together. Why not join a book club, organise a dinner party or go on a girls’, or lads’ night out? Try Skype or Facetime to stay in touch with distant friends.
Enjoy the great outdoors
Whatever the weather, there’s nothing like getting outside to blow the cobwebs away and improve your mind set. Go for a long walk, perhaps with friends or family, and take the children and the dog too. Reconnect with the beauty of nature while you replenish your mental energies.
Get some exercise
Regular exercise will raise your physical energy levels and is also a known mood lifter, helping to release stress and inner tension, and any anxieties you may be experiencing. During physical activity, your body releases endorphins – chemicals that trigger positive feelings.
Make sure you have fun
Throw yourself into autumn and winter with gusto and discover all that is good about the colder seasons. From roasting chestnuts and enjoying a glass of red wine in front of a crackling real fire, to harvest festivals, Halloween and the Christmas season, there are all sorts of autumn adventures and winter treats waiting to be enjoyed.
Practise gratitude
Not as silly as it may sound, sometimes it’s worth just counting your blessings and reminding yourself to not take everything for granted. It keeps you focused on the positive things you already have in your life, and helps to put a different perspective on things. Try writing down (or just noticing) 3 things every day that you are grateful for. It can be anything at all, big or small, as long as you appreciate its positive impact on your life.
More information
If you would like to view the Webinar on ‘The benefits of staying positive’ is being delivered live on Tuesday 30th November at 12:00pm-12:30pm, please use the following link to register for this session –
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/7517608808307902992
If you are unable to join the webinar live, a recording of the session can be accessed using the same link above after the webinar has taken place.
If you feel you may need some support, you can contact Care first. Care first is a leading provider of confidential, professional counselling, information and advice services. All employees are eligible to use Care first, our services include; telephone counselling, information services and online support. Call Care first on the Freephone number provided by your organisation and you can speak to a professional in confidence.
Please be aware that Care first is an external provider and the information in their webinars may not fully align with advice from the University on some subjects.