El Paso County Public Health shares tips to support your mental health and well-being this winter.
Take care of your mental health
By Brittany Riffle, El Paso County Public Health youth resilience and suicide prevention planner, and Maggie Youkhana, El Paso County Public Health behavioral health planner
In the same way you prepare your home and vehicle for winter, you can also prepare and plan to support your mental wellness. As the winter months may bring holiday cheer, this season can also bring additional stress and feelings of isolation and sadness with the colder weather and darker days. There are things you can do to ready yourself for those moments that are simple, low-to-no cost and can make a big impact:
- Schedule a time once a week to connect with a family member or loved one who brings joy to your life.
- Try to do something creative with your hands like paint by numbers or play with clay.
- Practice box-breathing for three minutes a day, which will calm your nervous system, help clear your mind and decrease stress in your body.
- Set a timer when you are on social media and put the phone down when the timer goes off.
- Eat a nutrient-rich meal or bowl of soup.
- Bundle up and go for a walk during your lunch break.
- Take a bubble bath with your favorite scented candle.
This winter, remember to take steps to practice self-care and support your mental wellness: take a break, practice breathing deeply and connect with someone you care about.
If you need additional support for your mental health, you can call 988, or use this resource guide:
https://www.elpasocountyhealth.org/sites/default/files/imce/Resource%20Guide%20website.pdf
You can find additional resources here:
https://www.elpasocountyhealth.org/services/behavioral-health-resources
