Top Tips for Surviving the Winter Season!
Keep warm
Be sure to pull out all your layers this winter! Cold weather conditions have been associated with various illnesses including common colds, flu, heart attacks, strokes and pneumonia. Wrap yourself up in several thin layers of clothing as well as hats, scarves and gloves to maintain your body heat.
Eat well
‘Tis the season of over eating, but too much can leave you feeling bloated and fatigued. Try to ensure you are still getting your 5 a day (minimum) by making the most of seasonal fruit and veg such as mandarins, oranges, grapefruit, kiwi as well as broccoli, carrots and cauliflower. Perfect for winter soups, stews and casseroles for that comfort food fix.
Think about drink
The festive season is a social time, however, remember to drink responsibly. Alcohol is a depressant and can leave you feeling irritable and low, also bare in mind you blood alcohol levels for when you next need to drive…a few hours sleep may not be enough! Be sure to keep hydrated, coffee and tea may feel cosier in the cold but drink plenty of water to keep you going!
Get your sleep
Then occasional all night party can be good for the soul but do make sure you are getting your 6-8 hours sleep at night! Sleep is your body’s time to recuperate and recover from the busy days.
Fresh air
Take full advantage of any moments of calm weather you get, it may be cold but wrap up warm and get yourself some fresh air. Health benefits include improving digestion, lower heart rate and blood pressure and helping to strengthen the immune system
Plan ahead
The festive season is a busy one and can get overwhelming between family, friends, work, food, money and presents! Take some time to plan the week ahead, write lists, set a calendar, anything you can do to organise your thoughts and help to budget your time and money.
Make time for yourself
Having countless demands on your time over through the winter can really take its toll. Set aside some time for yourself doing whatever you need to centre yourself and clear your mind. This could be a morning at a spa, a session at the gym or the 15 minute bubble bath you’ve planned before an early night. Don’t be afraid to have that “me time”, it can make a big difference!
Get your sleep
Then occasional all night party can be good for the soul but do make sure you are getting your 6-8 hours sleep at night! Sleep is your body’s time to recuperate and recover from the busy days.
Fresh air
Take full advantage of any moments of calm weather you get, it may be cold but wrap up warm and get yourself some fresh air. Health benefits include improving digestion, lower heart rate and blood pressure and helping to strengthen the immune system.
Plan ahead
The festive season is a busy one and can get overwhelming between family, friends, work, food, money and presents! Take some time to plan the week ahead, write lists, set a calendar, anything you can do to organise your thoughts and help to budget your time and money.
Make time for yourself
Having countless demands on your time over through the winter can really take its toll. Set aside some time for yourself doing whatever you need to centre yourself and clear your mind. This could be a morning at a spa, a session at the gym or the 15 minute bubble bath you’ve planned before an early night. Don’t be afraid to have that “me time”, it can make a big difference.
Give back this festive season
Book Trust
Getting children reading
The BookTrust Christmas appeal raises money to send surprise book gifts to over 12,250 vulnerable children to bring joy and brighten their Christmas and support their work through the year.
Make your donation online here.
The Trussell Trust
The Trussell trust work towards helping families who are pulled into crisis so they never have to be referred to a food bank. You can donate via the website or use it to find you nearest food bank.
Find your nearest foodbank here.
Crisis
Reserve a place at Crisis this Christmas, volunteer your time or donate money or gifts all to help support the homeless this Christmas. Have a look at all the ways you can help on their website.
Centrepoint
Help to support vunerable young people this Christmas with donations that could help everything from their much needed support line to providing a safe, warm room for a young person. See what you can do here.
Have a crafternoon for Mind!
The mental health charity Mind invite you to host a fundraising craft afternoon. To see how and downloads all sorts of templates and crafty ideas,take a look at their website!
Give the gift of your company!
Take a moment to see or check on any older or disabled neighbours, relatives and friends who may be isolated or unable to access food supplies and care over the festive period. They may just need a little company. A visit or telephone call to them could make a big difference and even save a life!
Helplines
Its always better to talk.
MIND (The Mental Health Charity)
Website: www.mind.org.uk
Tel no: 0300 123 3393
SAMARITANS
Website: http://www.samaritans.org/
Tel no: 116 123
Alcoholics Anonymous
Website: www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk
Tel no: 0800 9177 650
Stonewall
Website: www.stonewall.org.uk
Infoline: 08000 50 20 20
SANELine
Website: www.sane.org.uk
Tel no: 0300 304 7000
PAPYRUS (Prevention of Young Suicide)
Website: www.papyrus-uk.org
Tel no: 0800 068 41 41
Depression Alliance
Website: www.depressionalliance.org
No Panic (Anxiety Disorders)
Website: www.nopanic.org.uk
Tel no: 0844 967 4848
Youth helpline: 01753 840393
Cruse Bereavement Care
Website: https://www.cruse.org.uk/
Tel No: 0808 808 1677
Relate (Relationship helpline)
Website: https://www.relate.org.uk
Live web chat through the website and you can find your local centre to call.
