How to cope with darker nights

The combination of shorter days and gloomy weather at this time of year can take its toll on your mental health. It affects everyone differently, but can be worse for those who suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).

Today I’m going to share some tips to hopefully help you cope with the darker nights and shorter days.

Bring the light inside
Make sure your house is well lit to compensate for the darkness outside. You could use fairy lights to brighten up your living room, or take advantage of the abundance of autumn scented candles that are available at this time of year. If you have an open fire, this can bring both light and warmth into your house.

Go out
You may be tempted to stay in because of the dark nights and cold weather, but this can be bad for your mental health. Getting out on an evening can do wonders for your mood, and it is important not to put your life on hold during the winter months.

Invite people over
Having friends and family over on an evening is a great way to combat the winter blues. You could have a dinner party with autumnal recipes, or just a get-together with snacks and drinks.

Go for a daylight walk
Going for a walk during the day when it is still light outside can help to keep your spirits up in the winter months. Try to get out during your lunch break or in the morning, or go for regular long walks on your days off.

Exercise
It’s always important to get enough exercise, but it’s even more important during the winter months. You may not feel like exercising when it’s cold and dark, but it can help you to warm up, release endorphins to improve your mood and can even reduce tiredness caused by the darkness.