At a time of year that’s often considered bleak (the celebrations are over, the days are short and more than our fair share of extreme storms), it’s important to consider how we look after ourselves.
Add to that, overwhelming and downright worrying global and national events, building resilience and community is key. Here are some things that may not seem radical, but in a world of doing and consuming … they become just that.
Restoring your energy
Winter is a time of year when nature is in hibernation, storing up her energy for the busy seasons ahead. And, for people, it’s no different.
Yes, we absolutely need to maintain our social connections, but it’s also okay to have quiet evenings in, giving our mind and body time to switch off with the darker evenings.
That said, if you’re feeling especially drained, now is a good time to think about how to proactively build energy preserves. It can be as simple as heading out for a walk in the morning to give the body as much natural light as possible. Why? Because, even in winter, getting outside and spending time in nature is important – however, you do it – and has been proven to improve mood and boost energy levels.
Top tip: Walk for 20 minutes before work, and see how much more energised you are for the day.
Eating well
The temptation to snack is huge when it’s cold and dreary outside, but making sure we’re getting all the protein, vitamins and minerals we need is incredibly important. That’s because we need a healthy, balanced diet for our bodies and brains to function well, and what we eat can have a massive impact on mood.
By thinking more mindfully about what we eat, we can make some of those changes more easily. For example, ultra-processed foods (like fizzy drinks, processed meats and crisps) are typically stuffed with sugar and unhealthy fats, making us more tired in the long-run, and come with added health concerns. But did you know the chemicals used in them also impact the environment, too?
Putting our health first often has a positive impact on the environment and, if you’re spending more time indoors at this time of year, there’s no better time to play with fun and healthy recipes that are planet-positive, too.
Supporting local wildlife
While the trees have lost their leaves and there’s not much colour around, that doesn’t mean gardens or the local park isn’t teeming with life.
At this time of year, wildlife still needs us, and doing something positive for the critters on your doorstep can be incredibly up-lifting.
It can be as simple as putting out a bird feeder as additional food supplies for our native small birds, or not raking up the leaves in your garden so our pollinating friends (like moths, bees, butterflies, beetles and more) can hibernate in safety.
If you want to take it a step further, now is a great time to plant up the garden with wild flower seeds, install nesting boxes or even create a hedgehog highway with your neighbours.
Putting in the hard work now will reap the rewards of added biodiversity on the doorstep later in the year.
Connecting with the community
Loneliness can have a massive impact on our mental health in the winter months. Whether it’s because the weather means we’re spending less time outside around people, or there isn’t as much happening in our social circles, it’s an easy trap to fall into.
The good news is there could be way more happening in the community than we realise. From getting involved with local organisations trying to make a difference, to fun, social catch-ups that run all year, trying something new can be a great way to beat the winter blues.
In fact, here at Sustainable PZ, our week is already busy! Want to try show off your knowledge with our quiz event, or learn more about the effects of plastic on our oceans? Check out our upcoming events below:
Energy Quiz Night at The Honey Pot: Thursday, 29th Jan – book here.
Transparent Tides Workshop at Jubilee Pool: Saturday, 31st Jan – book here.
If you’re looking for something to get stuck into this winter, you can also join our team as a volunteer! We have plenty for you to get involved in – just email info@sustainablepz.co.uk and we’ll help you get started.
