Blog: Wellbeing in winter

Hi, my name is Ellen and I’m a second year English Literature with Digital Media and Communications student here at UoB, as well as one of your Student Content Shapers. With the excitement of Christmas around the corner and the busyness of assessment season, we often forget to prioritise our mental health and wellbeing this time of year.

The dark mornings and colder weather can also impact our mood, making us feel more tired and less motivated. You may not realise it but if you tend to feel more down during the winter then you may have Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). 

This is a mood disorder affected by the changing seasons, typically experienced in autumn and winter, due to less sunlight and shorter days. Symptoms include low mood, feeling lethargic and sleeping for longer than normal.

This is something I know I struggle with, and I’m certain I’m not the only one. Dealing with SAD, or a general lack of enthusiasm in the winter months, is highly common and there are multiple ways to help alleviate the symptoms.

Practice self-care

To begin with, it’s important to prioritise both your physical and mental health. For example, my Sport and Fitness membership motivates me to take regular classes at the gym. My favourites include yoga, Pilates, spin and body pump. If you’re a student living in UoB or partner-owned accommodation, check out the Active Residences programme for free sport activities over the holidays.

Additionally, eating well should be a priority. I know after returning home from a tiring day on campus often the last thing you want to do is cook a meal. But there are countless meals you can make that can be both simple and nourishing, and you’ll thank yourself for taking the time to cook them.

Keep being social

Sometimes pulling yourself out of bed can be challenging, but spending time with loved ones who you feel comfortable around will boost your mood immensely. It can be something as simple as going for coffee in Selly Oak or watching a Christmas film with a friend. Whenever I feel down, I check in on my housemates, offer them a cup of tea and a gossip. I’m super grateful to live in a house with seven girls, as they’re always up for an episode of ‘The Chase’, which is guaranteed to cheer me up!

To keep my spirits up and not get too caught up in my emotions, I find it helps to have plans to look forward to. For example, my housemates and I are planning to have Christmas dinner together before we head home for the holidays. We’ll also exchange secret Santa presents and watch the final of reality TV show ‘I’m A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here.’ Even something as simple as a movie night, day trip or Christmas shopping can bring some joy to these wintery months.

My final top tips

Finally, I’d like to share a few small things I find to be extremely valuable for my mental health. Firstly, I make it a priority to leave the house every day, I’ve found getting fresh air and natural sunlight is non-negotiable.

Secondly, if homesickness is something you struggle with (like me), plan to call your family or friends back home once a week. Lastly, listening to my favourite music is an instant mood booster, I love to put my headphones on and play Amy Winehouse. If you need some more inspiration, there are more tips from other students on the 'Looking after yourself at Christmas' student intranet page.

Talk to someone

If seasonal changes are affecting your mental health significantly, and you find yourself constantly feeling down, it’s important to seek professional help. The University’s 'Time to Talk?' campaign, found on the UoB Student Intranet, offers free and confidential support services for all students such as Wellbeing Officers in every College and a 24/7 support line UBHeard.