Staying healthy, sane and entertained

Read on for how to see through the winter as healthily and as happily as we can…

Eat Well – but do cut yourself some slack

There’s plenty of foods that will help boost your immune system at this time of year – a curry can be packed full of nutrients and is the perfect warming dish at the end of the day. Take time to prepare yourself a decent drink – set up your own home cocktail bar – we have the lowdown on the perfect G&T. And order yourself an amazing takeaway.

Apres ski in your garden

Grab some vin chaud and toast your marshmallows around the chiminea. Here’s how to make your outdoor space into a garden for all seasons. On a clear night, grab a toasty blanket and sit out under the stars.

Keeping Moving

Exercise is the best way to a healthy body and mind. The endorphins flow, you feel great. But hell, it’s cold out there. Trainer to the stars, Monique Eastwood, has some great advice on how you stay fit in lockdown even if we are in the colder months. Make the most of that commute time you’ve got back. Read on for some more motivational tips from the nation’s PE coach Joe Wicks, and check out some yoga for wellbeing.

Holiday Dreaming

Plan your next big holiday for as soon as we can travel again. We have some inspiration. See where to go to chase away the winter blues, or a summer family holiday with a great kids club.

Get out in Nature

A walk will blow away the cobwebs. National Trust grounds are open as is Kew Gardens (book in advance). And here’s some of the best winter walks on our doorsteps. Or plan a family bike ride.

Talk about it

Set up calls with friends and family. You can also still exercise outdoors with someone from another household –  meeting up in the fresh air is good for body and soul. We asked a psychotherapist how we can reframe the crisis and make something positive of it. Building up your reserves of happiness is key by doing things you enjoy. And when you head to bed, spend a minute thinking of three things you are grateful for and one thing you are proud of achieving that day – this is a small but powerful tactic to help cultivate positivity.

But don’t feel you have to put on a brave face. Seek help from friends and family. Mental health charities such as MIND are there to listen. You can also make an appointment to see your GP if you feel your mental health is suffering.

Create a Sanctuary

We’re going to be spending a lot of time indoors, so create your own perfect sanctuary. We have the lowdown on making your home as cosy as possible and give your bedroom a luxury hotel-style makeover

Watch a Film

This is the time to sit back with a tub of popcorn and embrace the fact that it’s winter. See if you can spot some filming locations in Surrey.

Catch up on your reading

As above, make yourself a mug of hot chocolate and settle down for a good read. Here’s some books that were set in Clapham. Light the fire – or at least some candles – and dig out those old board games from the back of the cupboard.

Make a photo journal

The pandemic has been tough, no doubt. But you’re getting through it. Go through your photos on your phone and put together a gallery of some of the highlights, you may be surprised by some of the positives that came out of it. Making daisy chains with the kids, that first loaf of sourdough (what do you mean you didn’t?) and a stroll through Richmond Park before all the cars were allowed back in…

Take up a new hobby

See above! If you didn’t start something new in the first lockdown, then grab the opportunity now. Bake, join on an online pilates class, take up photography, or write that novel.