5 things to improve your mental health during prolonged bad weather

We haven’t had much of a summer this year! Between frequent rain and high winds, most of us were confined indoors. I love walking and being active, but I did a lot less of anything with the weather as my excuse. It’s definitely even harder when you have kids to entertain.

Believe it or not, lots of us use exercise to regulate our bodies and emotions. So, with the weather being the focus, I know it’s time to go back to the drawing board and rethink how I think about the weather. It seems we are having to adjust to more rain, whether we like it or not.

In light of this, here are 5 tried and tested ways to improve your mental health during prolonged wet weather;

Try to Get Outside

We all know the massive mental health benefits of getting outdoors. Granted, when it’s raining outside, it’s hard to see the appeal. However, in order to ensure I have no more excuses, I bought all the rainproof gear I need. Walking boots and all are at the ready. No more soggy socks and shoes for me.

Stay Social

The rain makes it very easy to change plans. Skip the weekly walk or family BBQ because of rain, or cancel the party due to poor weather. It leaves us feeling deflated when our plans are forced to change due to bad weather.
This autumn and winter, as far as practically possible, I am going to try to commit to my weekly one-hour walk and talk with my friend. With my waterproofs on, the weather doesn’t need to be an excuse. I recently had a BBQ party, and it rained all day. The kids had so much fun and were totally oblivious to the wet weather.

Up Skill Yourself

As opposed to complaining about what I can’t change (i.e., the weather), I’m going to refocus my attention on reading more and broadening my knowledge. I’ve always wanted to up skill myself in digital technology. I’m already getting places now that I’m able to write and upload my own website blogs. I like having something to work towards. This will be a positive focus for me over the long winter months.

Consider a new hobby

Granted, waterproof clothing aside, it’s so much harder to stay fit and active in wet weather. If you’re a keen cyclist, for example, wet weather will make cycling on our roads treacherous. Why not try a new hobby? For example, invest in an indoor exercise bike. If we refocus our attention on what we can do instead of what we cannot, then we will feel much more positive and accomplished.

Eat well

Try not to let the weather be an excuse for packing on the pounds and indulging in things that aren’t good for you. A healthy body and mind are equally important.
Try to consider if there is a healthier alternative to the chocolate bar, fizzy drink, or bag of crisps. I’m a firm believer in balance and love to treat myself. But just try to make sure everything is in moderation. Many people become Vitamin D deficient during the winter months, so try to eat lots of leafy, green vegetables or take supplements if required.