How to maintain mental well-being (even during long winter evenings)

Long winter evenings can challenge our mental health, but there are many ways to keep our spirits up. We'll advise you on how to manage your mental well-being during this season.

Mental health and how to look after it

Mental health is just as important as physical health. Taking care of it regularly involves both preventative measures and reactive steps when needed. In general, however, regular physical activity, a balanced diet, and getting enough restful sleep play a crucial role in maintaining the stability of our mental health.

First and foremost, exercise

It's interesting how difficult it is for some of us to get ourselves to take the simplest form of endorphin gain. You don't have to run marathons or lift twice your weight in the gym. For serotonin and endorphin production, a low-impact exercise is enough to energize the body and refresh the mind. Try jogging a few metres or jumping rope. Just get moving, and you'll feel the relaxation almost immediately.

Healthy food and sleep

Finally, give your body what it needs — vegetables, fruit and fiber. Your body will repair itself from the inside, and when your body is more resistant to environmental influences, your mind will easily keep up with it. This, of course, includes adequate sleep without distractions. 

This is indeed easy to recommend but more complicated to follow; however, try going to bed two hours earlier a few times. Even if you don't sleep, relaxation alone benefits your body and brain more than sitting in front of the TV.

Subtle but powerful mental hygiene

Mental hygiene involves several simple (but challenging or unusual for some) habits that support our mental health. These include, for example, regular relaxation techniques (simple yoga postures, wellness visits), meditation (a state of complete calm and clearing of the mind) or simple rituals that help us cope with everyday stress. 

Therapy and psychological support

If you find that neither sport, food, nor sleep can help, it is worth considering seeking professional help. This is not a weakness but a strong statement of caring for your mental health and preserving yourself. Therapy can provide a space to share emotions and gain tools to deal with stressful situations and improve your whole life in the long run.

Burnout syndrome and its prevention

Burnout is a condition where prolonged stress at work or personal life can result in exhaustion and loss of motivation. It is a condition that results from ignoring your body's needs for a long time. Its most straightforward prevention is balancing work and rest, setting boundaries, and engaging in activities fulfilling you. 

If you want to enjoy winter to the fullest, try to enjoy it. Sledging, ice-skating, eating apples and pears and the long sleep made possible by a longer night will help you through this challenging period. However, if these steps do not help, please get in touch with us. Our experts will help you.