5 expert tips for navigating the winter blues

The colder, darker winter months can feel longer and have an impact on our mood – sometimes referred to as the winter blues.

Dr Emma Palmer-Cooper , Lecturer in Psychology, has researched mental health and wellbeing, with a focus on developing accessible support.

Emma shares her advice for navigating the winter blues and checking in with ourselves and others.

Talk about your feelings

Strong social connections are a key part of maintaining good mental health, which is why talking openly with friends and family about how we’re feeling really matters.

Deal with difficult emotions

Consistently pushing down difficult emotions while only showing positive ones can actually harm our wellbeing, making negative moods stronger and even reducing our capacity to feel gratitude.

Build emotional understanding

Focusing solely on positive moments can leave life feeling flat and less meaningful whereas acknowledging emotions like sadness, frustration and worry helps us understand ourselves and build resilience.

Spend time with others

Happier people tend to spend less time alone, talk more with others, and have more meaningful conversations rather than small talk.

Get outside

Walking outside is one of the simplest ways to improve our mental and physical wellbeing. According to science, walking mindfully for just 5 minutes already starts to improve our ability to cope with the stresses of everyday life.