Mental & Physical Health and Wellbeing during Winter

Keeping yourself as well as possible is vital in winter. The cold weather and short days can make it more challenging to look after ourselves, so here are some tips and advice. 

Try these Five Ways to Wellbeing to help improve on your mood: 

• Connect with people, 

• Be physically active, 

• Learn new skills, 

• Take notice (practise mindfulness), 

• Give to others. 

If you need support for your mood and wellbeing, contact your GP. Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust and Samaritans provide free 24 hours support services. 

Stay Active 

• Keeping active helps your body stay strong, reduces the risk of falls, boosts your mood and helps you stay warm, 

• Try to move around at least once every hour, 

• Light activities such as making a cup of tea, moving around your home, walking slowly, cleaning, vacuuming, making the bed, or simply standing up can all help, 

• If you're able, aim to do some moderate or vigorous activity each week, for example a brisk 10-minute walk for moderate exercise, and running or dancing for vigorous exercise, 

• Contact local physical activity and fitness services if needed. Over 60s can get a discount on Go Active memberships. Visit https://goactive.sthelens. gov.uk/ For more information on staying active, visit www.nhs.uk/live-well/exercise.

• Hot meals and drinks help keep you warm,

• Eat a balanced diet of different foods from the 5 main food groups alongside your 5 portions of fruit and vegetables, 

• Stock up on tinned/frozen food to avoid the need to go out when it's cold or icy, 

• Contact food banks/pantries if needed. visit www.sthelens.gov.uk/ foodsupport for more details. For more information on how to eat well, visit www.nhs.uk/live-well/eat-well