January and February can be difficult months as fas as our mental health goes, and this often has a physical cause. Days are darker and colder, we get out less, spend more time alone and find less to do. Soon, spring will come along and sort these things out for us, but in the meantime here’s 5 suggestions on what to do when you’re feeling down:

Have Coffee with a Friend

Sometimes a simple catch up can make all the difference! Meet up with a friend you haven’t seen for a while at a local coffee shop, or even at home over Zoom/phone if they don’t live close by. Be sure to keep the conversation as positive as you can, and listen as well as talk. At the same time, don’t be afraid to tell your friend what you need from them—if you need cheering up, say so!

Spend Time on Hobbies

It’s important to give ourselves permission to spend time enjoying our hobbies, and having a creative outlet does wonders for our mental health. If you don’t yet have a hobby, is there one that you’ve been meaning to take up? Maybe this is the month! Or maybe it’s been so long since you pursued an activity that’s just for you that you’ve no idea what to do or where to start. If that’s so, why not see if there’s some local courses or workshops that you could try?

Give a Gift

It’s not a myth, it really does life our spirits when we do something nice for someone else. It doesn’t have to be a big thing, but sending someone a card, baking them a cake or choosing a small present really can lift our spirits, and will no doubt cheer the recipient up too! For a double dose of feel-good energy, source your card or gift from a local shop or independent artist. You can get something really unusual and pat yourself on the back for shopping small at the same time.

Bring the Outside In

Part of the reason why this is a good tip is that in order to bring the outside in, you do actually have to go out. We all know that fresh air and exercise is good for us, but it’s not always easy in the winter.  However, on days when we’re finding it tough, whether that’s because we’re busy, it’s raining, or any other reason, a mini project to fill a vase or bowl with natural things from the garden can feel easier, and even fun and creative.   

Treat Yourself to a Day out

Even if finances are at a low ebb, which they often are in January, there’s still inexpensive or even free things that can get us out and about of a weekend. Perthshire has some amazing options for museums and art galleries, sculpture trails, scenic drives, wild swimming groups, craft workshops and more. Search our What’s On and Activities categories for specific ideas.