Hello everybody! 
 
We hope you are all doing well and have had a good month.  

Winter can be a hard time. The short days and lack of sunshine can make it harder to get outside (although I know some of you appreciate these colder days!) and it can affect our mood. If you are finding it difficult to get outside or get enough sunshine, vitamin D supplements can help.  

Remember that while it is important to keep working on healthy habits, it is also important to take time and energy to do things that you enjoy. You deserve to do things that make you happy, and it is important for your mental, and as a result your physical, health to take the time to have some fun.  

We know it can be difficult when your favourite hobbies might be too much exertion for you right now. Sometimes you can adapt your hobbies to your energy levels. For example, if painting a canvas is too much right now, maybe try painting birthday or Christmas cards.  

It can also be a great time to think about what it is about your hobbies that you enjoy. You can find new hobbies that give you those same rewards. For those who love walking because it gets you into nature, maybe a visit to a café in the botanical gardens, or maybe you can set up a bird feeder in your garden and see what birds you can spot.   

Keen gardeners have found that a pot-plant garden allows them to continue to care for their plants in a more accessible way.  

Try to remove the word ‘should’ from your vocabulary. Think less about what you ‘should’ be doing or the way that you ‘should’ be doing your hobby. Be creative! And remember to ask for help when needed.  

Stay warm, and we look forward to connecting with you all soon.  

Tania and Marika