Tips to Improve your Loved One’s Mental Health During the Colder Months
The colder months in the UK can have a huge impact on people’s mental health, especially the elderly.
Around 1.4 million older adults in the UK report they often feel lonely, and the cold weather can increase this feeling as the colder temperatures and darker days make people feel like they want to hide from the cold. This can often lead to the elderly feeling increasingly lonely due to family and friends visiting less.
Here are some tips and advice that you can follow to help your aging family members look after themselves and their mental health throughout these cold, dark months.
At Homelium, we believe in creating a safe and comfortable environment for your loved ones to thrive. Here are a few tips to take into consideration when caring for our elderly loved ones.
The Winter SAD
Some people can also be affected by Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) which can impact many people during the darker months due to the reduced exposure to the sunlight. The NHS describes SAD symptoms as:
- Persistent low mood
- Loss of interest in everyday activities
- Feelings of irritability, despair, anxiousness and worthlessness
- Low self-esteem
- Tearfulness
- Becoming less sociable
- Loss of appetite
Symptoms of SAD can be improved by trying to get as much natural light as possible this could be done by going for a walk or even just getting out into the garden during the day. The home should be made as light and airy as possible by opening the curtains throughout the day and let some fresh air in by opening some windows for short period of time so that it doesn’t get too cold.
It is thought that feeling the natural light or sun may improve the SAD symptoms by encouraging your brain to reduce the production of melatonin (a hormone that makes you sleepy) and increase the production of serotonin (a hormone that affects your mood). When indoors, try sitting near the window to feel the natural light on your body to help promote the serotonin levels your body needs.
Make sure to keep active and incorporate some light exercise into the day to keep those muscles moving to keep the body warm. As well as exercise, it is important to maintain a diet filled with nutritious foods like soups, stews, and fruit and vegetables as these food groups can help to keep the body active with the nutrients, and not only physically but will help support you mentally.
“1.4 million older adults in the UK report they often feel lonely.”
Things to Help Improve Mental Health
During these colder months it is important to keep up to a routine to stay motivated as this will help to keep a positive mindset by staying busy. Make sure to be getting up, eat a warm substantial breakfast like porridge and some fruit to start the day and get some energy. The cold makes us want to stay wrapped up in bed and stay indoors but if you can, try to get outside for a little while for some fresh air and to see the natural light.
Another way to stay busy could be to have a good tidy and a clear out of the home. As the say goes, ‘clean house, clean mind’! Making the home free of clutter and clean from top to bottom is a great step to making your home feel nice and cosy. This can be done alone of if you need support, make sure to have the help of your family or carer.
Being cosy and comfortable will help improve mental health too so make sure to be wrapping up warm with cosy blankets, slippers and dressing gowns whilst in the house. You could light candles with wintery scents to make your home smell amazing whilst giving a more relaxing, cosy feel to your living space.
Do things that make you happy. Keep your cupboards stocked up (especially tea and coffee), buy some good books to have when boredom strikes to have fun but also keep the mind busy as reading helps to improve brain function and reduce stress which is always a good thing during the cold weather.
How you can Help your Elderly Relative
Many of elderly relatives will face struggles over the cold, dark months so it is important to always stay in touch and check in with them to make sure they are doing well. Always make sure to ask if they are needing any shopping getting when you are also doing a shop as this will be a big help if they aren’t venturing out in the cold. Even if they don’t say they need anything, always offer cupboard staples like soup so they always have something easy and warm for them to eat.
The weather may be cold, and it may be off putting to leave the home on evenings and weekends, but make sure to be planning in visits with your vulnerable loved ones as a visit can brighten up their day. Visiting their home is also a good opportunity to make sure the house is warm and cosy, and their cupboards are stocked up, so they have enough long shelf-life items like tins of soup or beans, or if they need any personal or hygiene products. This essential as the colder months may bring snowstorms and icy conditions where your elderly loved one may not be able to leave their home, so having stocked up cupboards are a great plan.
For more advice or to explore our home care services, contact Homelium today by calling 0333 3448 677 📞
