MENTAL HEALTH IN THE DARKER MONTHS
Taking care of our mental health is our duty of care to ourselves, a personal responsibility, and part of lifelong learning.
Yet, many of us fail to take a preventative approach until faced with challenges and realise that prevention is better than cure. Helping people learn how to proactively approach mental fitness is my vocation, and it’s something I am constantly working on in my own life. This struggle often becomes more pronounced during the winter months—myself included…
The Challenges of Winter on Mental Fitness
Seasonal Changes That Impact Mental Health
Winter is here, bringing darker evenings, shorter days, colder weather, and fewer daylight hours. My summertime mental fitness strategies suddenly become harder to sustain:
Fitness habits change: It’s harder to get out of bed in the dark for a workout.
Outdoor activities become less accessible: Lake swimming, camping, and other outdoor pursuits require more preparation, planning, and warm clothing.
Motivation dips: I naturally feel less driven during this season.
The Struggle with Familiar Habits
The constants that help me feel energised, happy, and like myself—like spending time outdoors—are more challenging to maintain. As the clocks change, I often lean into cosy comforts like woolly socks, chocolate, and movie nights. But after a few weeks, I become restless and crave the outdoors again.
A Simple, Proactive Approach to Mental Health
Identifying What Works
The good news is that building mental fitness doesn’t require complex skills. The first step is to:
Identify what nurtures you: Be curious about the actions that help you feel resilient, calm, and happy. Commit to making them a regular part of your life.
Eliminate what depletes you: Discover the habits, actions, and relationships that drain you. Commit to doing them less—or stopping them entirely.
Working with clients, I often help them identify these patterns, freeing up hours each week by eliminating unnecessary activities.
PersonaliSed Strategies for Mental Fitness
I was reminded recently that mental fitness requires a personalised approach. When I asked my clients and radio show listeners, “How do you take care of your mental health in the darker months?” their answers varied widely:
Listening to music
Exercising
Spending time in nature—green spaces, coastal areas, or fresh air
Playing an instrument or learning something new
Enjoying “me time” or laughing with friends
Watching sunsets and sunrises
Stargazing, moonlit walks, and hobbies
My "November to Remember" Approach
This year, I decided to make November exciting—something to remember. Instead of my usual "head down and get through it" mantra, I committed to trying new things and revisiting old favorites to make memories and jazz up my winter.
So far, it’s been incredible. Watch out for my November to Remember blog!
Embracing the Possibilities of Winter
This season is an opportunity to adopt a mindset of gratitude and possibility. When the sun shines, I feel immense gratitude. When it’s cold, I channel my inner Viking—wrap up and brave the chill.
Here are a few ways I embrace winter:
Building beach fires and watching the flames dance under the stars.
Sipping hot chocolate by moonlight.
Finding time for simple, soul-nourishing moments.
Take a preventative approach to your mental health this winter—this is your Mental Fitness Workout.
P.S. I have lots of great pro tips to help you strengthen your mental health during the darker months - get in touch if you’d like some support this winter.
