Beating the winter blues, one cosy day at a time at Ardtully

Winter can be a tough time for everyone – when the holiday festivities are over and the temperatures drop further, seasonal depression can start creeping in and almost everyone starts feeling the winter blues.

It can be an especially challenging time of the year for older adults and people living in care homes. Shorter days, less sunlight, and low temperatures can all contribute to feelings of isolation, loneliness, and even depression among older people. However, there are many ways to beat the blues in the winter months.

Here’s how we make sure our residents stay happy and healthy throughout winter:

Getting Plenty Of Sunlight

Being out in the sun or even getting some sunlight indoors is very important, especially during winter months, to make sure that you’re getting enough vitamin D. At Ardtully, we have beautiful, mobility-friendly gardens that residents can take short walks in and pet our animals and even a lovely sunroom for those who prefer to stay inside. Getting some sunshine every morning helps boost their mood and energy levels for the day.

Staying Active

While cosying up under a blanket with a warm cuppa sounds like the perfect winter activity, it’s equally important to get some exercise during the colder months. At Ardtully, we encourage residents to participate in our group fitness classes, go out for walks, and move their bodies every day.

Being Social

Social interaction plays a huge role in mental well-being, especially during winter when loneliness is common among care home residents. We organise group activities such as indoor games, singalongs, arts and crafts sessions, movie nights, visits to the pub, and more. This has helped build a lovely community at Ardtully.

Nourishing Our Body

Maintaining a balanced diet and nourishing your body with fresh, seasonal fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats is very beneficial, especially in the winter when our bodies need some extra love and care. At Ardtully, our talented chefs make sure everyone is well-fed and nourished all year round.

Leaning In To The Season

The best way to beat the winter blues is by fully embracing the season – that means watching all our favourite films, reading books, knitting, cosying up indoors with a yummy hot chocolate, and having hearty chats with our friends at Ardtully.

Our excellent team are is making sure that your loved ones are taken care of and supported through the winter so that their time at Ardtully can be healthy and happy.