Winter mental health tips from the UK Government
To help people across the country prepare for one of the most different, challenging, and potentially difficult Christmas and winter periods in recent memory, the UK Government’s Department of Health & Social Care (DHSC) has published a policy paper entitled “Staying mentally well this winter”.
The paper, published on Monday 23rd November 2020, sets out a range of advice for managing and maintaining your mental health and wellbeing during the winter, which will continue to feature restrictions on movement, socialising and other activities in an effort to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
Based on Public Health England’s “Every Mind Matters” campaign, the DHSC publication includes tips on self-care for mental wellbeing, supporting children, and what to do in a mental health crisis. The paper also sets out a range of mental health support services and tools you can access for free.
Here are a few tips from the paper. You can read “Staying mentally well this winter” on the UK Government website here.
“As little as 30 minutes’ exposure to natural light per day can improve mental health and help maintain a healthy sleep pattern. We therefore recommend going outside at least once a day, preferably to a natural environment or green space such as a park, during daylight hours to maximise these benefits.”
“Creating your own Mind Plan is an important step you can take to keep well this winter. By answering 5 simple questions about how you are currently feeling and sleeping you will receive NHS-endorsed top tips and practical advice tailored to you.”
“Without steady schedules, the lines between work and personal time can get blurred and cause stress and fatigue. Visit the Every Mind Matters website for 7 simple tips which may help you tackle working from home.”
“Poor mental health can make managing your finances harder, and feeling stressed about money can make your mental health worse, so it’s important to take action. Through the Money Advice Service, the Money and Pensions Service has launched a COVID-19 response Money Navigator Tool, providing tailored signposting consumer support including mental health support.”
“Engaging in meaningful activities such as volunteering can have a beneficial effect on your own mental wellbeing, through increasing feelings of self-esteem and social connection. Find out more about opportunities to volunteer and information about volunteering during COVID-19.”
“If low mood or difficult feelings persist, you may need further support. Talking therapies are available through your GP, or through self-referral online.”
“A new NHS.UK urgent NHS mental health helpline service finder has been developed to enable individuals to quickly locate their nearest source of crisis support. This government would encourage anyone who needs support to reach out for it – so the NHS can help you, just as we are together doing so much to protect the NHS.”