Top ten tips to beat the winter blues
The weather in Nottingham has dipped below freezing but we want to help you keep in a positive mood! Sharing their lived experience of keeping well during the winter months, the students and volunteers at the Nottingham Recovery College have co-produced their top ten tips to beat the winter blues.
Go for a walk
Wrap up warm and leave the house. Enjoy the cold air and get some light exercise. It will lift your spirits and make you feel better.
Join the library
Your local library is a fantastic resource and it’s free to join. A library card from any library in Nottinghamshire will let you borrow books, audio books, music and films in all Nottingham libraries and Nottinghamshire libraries. Libraries are also a warm, quiet place to rest and there are often daily newspapers and coffee machines.
Attend a coffee morning or meet-up
There are plenty of local events with coffee mornings – you can find out more at your local library or on the community events board at the Nottingham Recovery College. Why not arrange a meet-up with your friends, supporters or support group? Socialising helps to boost your mood.
Enjoy the garden
If you have a garden then winter is an ideal time to do a bit of tidying – pick up twigs and leaves, wash out pots to get them ready for planting. Our top garden tip is to get a bird feeder, and enjoy your local wildlife.
Enjoy nature
Nottinghamshire has some great parks and nature reserves. We love Attenborough Nature Centre and Gedling Nature Reserve. Visit the deer at Wollaton Hall and Park or check out Green’s Mill.
Listen to music
Create your own playlist either on your phone, computer or with your CDs and vinyl! Music can help get you going or relax you. Try listening to music or the radio as you get ready in the morning.
Take up a hobby
Go back to doing something you used to enjoy or try something new. Indoor hobbies could include snooker or pool, playing cards, board games, model-making, sewing, knitting, DIY, crafts, playing a musical instrument, cultivating an indoor garden … Try something different!
Declutter
If you are spending more time in your house – why not use the time to declutter and tidy up? Give yourself 20 minutes and see how much you can do in that time. Pace yourself and do one room at a time. The achievement of tidying up will help you feel good.
Go out
A change of scenery is a great way to beat the winter blues. You could do something cultural such as go to the cinema, an art gallery or museum, attend a sporting event, or a community event. If you are feeling up to it why not try something more active such as swimming at your local leisure centre.
Join a course
There are courses in various venues across Nottinghamshire throughout the year. If you feel like you would like to try something new or improve your skills, we think courses are a great way to achieve this and to meet new people.Try looking at the courses available in your local library. There are also evening classes available at most of the local colleges and universities, depending on your particular interest. Of course, we recommend the courses at the Recovery College, and if you would like to find out more about what is available across our venues, please see our prospectus.
Have you found this blog post helpful? We would love to hear from you on our Facebook page or you can chat to us on Twitter. Alternatively, please email our blog co-production team at nottingham.recovery.college@nottshc.nhs.uk.
