At this time of year, it’s natural to reflect and start making plans for the future. Whether you’re keen to set new goals or are happy to go with the flow, it’s important to check in on your health and wellbeing so you’re ready to tackle whatever the year might bring.
Life has become more difficult to plan for, but a resilient mindset and support network can help you stay at your healthy best both at work and at home. Here are our top tips for winter mindfulness to help you set your expectations and make positive changes that will boost your wellbeing for the year ahead.
Mindfulness and self-improvement through self-care
In the winter months, it can be more difficult to feel and perform at our best. It’s easy to neglect your own wellbeing while you focus on helping others. Fitness and healthy eating may slip down the priority list, especially when the changing seasons disrupt your routine.
If you’re worried that a health problem might impact your ability to work or care for your family, it’s important to catch concerns early so you can get back on your feet as soon as possible. The better you look after yourself, the better you can help those who need you.
Most GP practices now offer telephone or virtual appointments, making it easier to schedule around your work and family commitments. Remember your GP can help with both physical and mental health, so even if your worry seems minor, it’s always worth checking for your peace of mind.
Small changes make a big difference
Many of us start the new year with health-related resolutions. While this motivation can be useful, don’t put too much pressure on yourself to make big changes.
Set realistic expectations for yourself by making one or two smaller adjustments. For example, you could:
- Start a gratitude diary: Boost your mood by writing down three things you are grateful for each morning.
- Reduce your screen time before bed: Turning off your TV and phone will help you get a better night’s sleep.
- Make a healthy food switch: Try swapping white bread for wholemeal, or adding an extra portion of veg to each meal.
- Schedule some me time: Plan an hour of self-care once a week. It could be a relaxing bath or an online yoga class.
Keep your ideas simple and achievable, and don’t try to change too much at once. Remember, a small habit you can stick to is better than a grand one that doesn’t last!
Find online support
The ‘Big Mental Health Report 2025’ released by Mind revealed that 1 in 5 adults in England report living with a common mental health problem. This has been a statistic slowly on the rise in recent years, demonstrating how important it is for people to seek help and support when needed. Try reaching out to start a conversation and reconnect with the person behind the feed.
Getting the balance right
While a bit of pressure can drive us to reach our goals, too much strain can make us anxious and frustrated, eventually leading to burnout. On the other hand, you may find that the changing seasons disrupt your energy levels, resulting in a winter slump.
If you’re feeling unmotivated, try to create proactive energy habits which build stability into your day. Bear in mind the four pillars of performance: mindset, nutrition, movement and recovery. Whether it’s building better sleep habits, eating a healthy breakfast or scheduling a five-minute workout, small changes can keep your energy levels stable and make it easier to bounce back when things get tough.
Wellbeing round-up
We hope our Beat the Winter Blues guides have helped you discover some new tips and resources for your own wellbeing journey. We’ll leave you with the Five Ways to Wellbeing, which provide easy steps to help you look after yourself and connect with your community.
- Connect: Remember the importance of relationships. This can be friends, colleagues or chatting with someone new.
- Be active: Physical activity can help boost your mood, reduce anxiety and keep your body at its best.
- Take notice: Being present in the moment makes you feel in sync with the world around you. It could be as simple as organising your space or stopping to enjoy a sunset.
- Learn: No matter your age, it’s always fulfilling to pick up new skills. Try reading a new book, joining an online class or tackling a sudoku.
- Give: Reaching out to others makes you feel like part of the community. Acts of kindness can boost your own self-worth, and you might just make someone’s day!
Useful links to promote winter mindfulness
- Mind.org.uk: self-care tips
- NHS: Bouncing Back from Change
- Optimise your stress for productivity
- Westfield Health blog
- Five Ways to Wellbeing report
Download our PDF guide to share information with your colleugues