If you need urgent support, call 999 or go to your nearest A&E. To contact our Crisis Messenger (open 24/7) text THEMIX to 85258.
Read the community guidelines before posting ✨
December Winter wellbeing challenge!
Aoife
Community Manager Posts: 3,228 Boards Guru
This was a lovely thread last year that I wanted to share again for a winter wellbeing challenge
Catalina is a volunteer at The Mix and put together a wonderful 31-day Winter Wellbeing Challenge. We've created this into a fun activity for you all to follow along over December here on the boards (although we're already halfway through Dec now!). Each day or twice a day!, click the spoiler to find out what your challenge is for the day
1 Dec
Virtually interact with a charity
There are so many ways of virtually interacting with charities. Keep an eye on The Mix’s socials throughout their Winter Warmer campaign!
There are so many ways of virtually interacting with charities. Keep an eye on The Mix’s socials throughout their Winter Warmer campaign!
2 Dec
Build a blanket fort
Reconnect with your inner child by creating your own hideout space. Grab a few blankets, pillows and two chairs and cosy up with a good book or movie. It’s the perfect activity for a cold, rainy day!
Reconnect with your inner child by creating your own hideout space. Grab a few blankets, pillows and two chairs and cosy up with a good book or movie. It’s the perfect activity for a cold, rainy day!
3 Dec
Random number generator for your favourite series
When you just can’t decide which episode or season to binge, let a random number generator choose for you! It makes re-watching your favourite TV show more exciting.
When you just can’t decide which episode or season to binge, let a random number generator choose for you! It makes re-watching your favourite TV show more exciting.
4 Dec
Cook or bake something comforting
Whether it’s something that brings you nostalgia, a cultural dish or food you enjoy, having a comfort meal during winter can lift your mood. If you can’t think of anything, Yummly is a free website that suggests personalised recipe recommendations based on your dietary requirements, allergies, and favourite cuisines.
Whether it’s something that brings you nostalgia, a cultural dish or food you enjoy, having a comfort meal during winter can lift your mood. If you can’t think of anything, Yummly is a free website that suggests personalised recipe recommendations based on your dietary requirements, allergies, and favourite cuisines.
5 Dec
Start a memory box
It’s never too late to start collecting little reminders of places you’ve been to. Just grab an unused box, personalise it, and place inside anything that brings you joy.
It’s never too late to start collecting little reminders of places you’ve been to. Just grab an unused box, personalise it, and place inside anything that brings you joy.
6 Dec
Have a dance party in your room
You don’t need a reason to have a dance party! Put on your favourite playlist and express yourself however you like. It’s not only fun but it can have so many benefits for your mental health.
You don’t need a reason to have a dance party! Put on your favourite playlist and express yourself however you like. It’s not only fun but it can have so many benefits for your mental health.
7 Dec
Pick a ‘choose-your-own-adventure’ activity
Immerse yourself in the world of interactive storytelling where you decide how the story unfolds. Choosing from a wide range of books, video games or websites will be your first step in this challenge.
Immerse yourself in the world of interactive storytelling where you decide how the story unfolds. Choosing from a wide range of books, video games or websites will be your first step in this challenge.
8 Dec
Go on a museum scavenger hunt
Come up with a list of items you’d be likely to find in a museum. You can start with a painting of a cat sleeping, a mask, or an ancient item, and add anything else you can imagine! Then walk around and tick them off as you see them!
Come up with a list of items you’d be likely to find in a museum. You can start with a painting of a cat sleeping, a mask, or an ancient item, and add anything else you can imagine! Then walk around and tick them off as you see them!
9 Dec
Write a letter or a card for someone
Receiving a handwritten letter or card is a very personal gesture and can make someone’s day. Think about someone you would want to send it to and write a nice message to them.
Receiving a handwritten letter or card is a very personal gesture and can make someone’s day. Think about someone you would want to send it to and write a nice message to them.
10 Dec
Explore somewhere new
We often go to the same places because it feels familiar. But how about challenging yourself to try and find an area you’ve never been to? It can bring so many nice surprises!
We often go to the same places because it feels familiar. But how about challenging yourself to try and find an area you’ve never been to? It can bring so many nice surprises!
11 Dec
Make your own winter decorations
There is a wide choice of creative ideas on Pinterest you can try. You can have a craft day and have a go at creating winter origami, pinecone crafts or snow globes.
There is a wide choice of creative ideas on Pinterest you can try. You can have a craft day and have a go at creating winter origami, pinecone crafts or snow globes.
12 Dec
Create paper mosaic art
Making mosaic art is easier than it seems. Just draw the outline of something you want to create and glue down bits and pieces of colourful paper inside it.
Making mosaic art is easier than it seems. Just draw the outline of something you want to create and glue down bits and pieces of colourful paper inside it.
13 Dec
Illustrate a new cover for your favourite book
This is your chance to re-interpret a book cover design by putting your own spin on it. Let your imagination flow!
This is your chance to re-interpret a book cover design by putting your own spin on it. Let your imagination flow!
14 Dec
Design your own calendar
For a digital calendar, you can use Canva, but if you prefer a physical one, grab a few pieces of paper and a few pens and decorate each month with designs or stickers!
For a digital calendar, you can use Canva, but if you prefer a physical one, grab a few pieces of paper and a few pens and decorate each month with designs or stickers!
15 Dec
Follow a Bob Ross tutorial
Let me paint you a picture: it’s a rainy day outside, you’re in comfy clothes, and decide to get painting supplies, ready to draw along a Bob Ross tutorial. Make yourself a cup of tea and spend a relaxing afternoon painting.
Let me paint you a picture: it’s a rainy day outside, you’re in comfy clothes, and decide to get painting supplies, ready to draw along a Bob Ross tutorial. Make yourself a cup of tea and spend a relaxing afternoon painting.
16 Dec
Make your own short film
Lights, camera, action! You can recreate your favourite scene or come up with your own script and story, then get your phone camera and start filming. You can even use different clothes or props you have around the house to make it more exciting.
Lights, camera, action! You can recreate your favourite scene or come up with your own script and story, then get your phone camera and start filming. You can even use different clothes or props you have around the house to make it more exciting.
17 Dec
Create an inspirational board
Gather your favourite quotes, pictures, memories, or DIY decorations and arrange them on a board or on a cardboard sheet. Then place it somewhere in your room where you can look at it when you need to.
Gather your favourite quotes, pictures, memories, or DIY decorations and arrange them on a board or on a cardboard sheet. Then place it somewhere in your room where you can look at it when you need to.
18 Dec
Create an “ugly jumper”
You don’t need to buy or destroy a jumper for this challenge! Use easily removable items such as safety pins, ornament hooks or thread to secure or move different decorations around.
You don’t need to buy or destroy a jumper for this challenge! Use easily removable items such as safety pins, ornament hooks or thread to secure or move different decorations around.
19 Dec
Watch TedTalks
From design to technology and mental health, there are so many brilliant TedTalks you can watch.
From design to technology and mental health, there are so many brilliant TedTalks you can watch.
20 Dec
Listen to a podcast
Podcasts are a great way of discovering new interests and you might even get invested into a series!
Podcasts are a great way of discovering new interests and you might even get invested into a series!
21 Dec
Explore Google Arts and Culture
If you haven’t used this platform, now it’s your chance! You can explore museums, historical places, and countries from the comfort of your own bedroom.
If you haven’t used this platform, now it’s your chance! You can explore museums, historical places, and countries from the comfort of your own bedroom.
22 Dec
Learn something new
Keep your brain active by discovering a new topic! You can watch Crash Course videos or browse free courses on Future Learn.
Keep your brain active by discovering a new topic! You can watch Crash Course videos or browse free courses on Future Learn.
23 Dec
Write a letter to your future self
Is there anything you want the future you to remember? Looking back can help you realise how much you’ve changed and who you were all those years ago. You can handwrite it and put it somewhere safe, or you can use the FutureMe website and send your letter to the future!
Is there anything you want the future you to remember? Looking back can help you realise how much you’ve changed and who you were all those years ago. You can handwrite it and put it somewhere safe, or you can use the FutureMe website and send your letter to the future!
24 Dec
Start a well-being jar
When something nice happens to you, no matter how small, write it on a small piece of paper and put it inside an empty jar. As time goes on, notes will start to build up and at the end of next year, you’ll have a nice collection of wholesome moments to look back to.
When something nice happens to you, no matter how small, write it on a small piece of paper and put it inside an empty jar. As time goes on, notes will start to build up and at the end of next year, you’ll have a nice collection of wholesome moments to look back to.
25 Dec
Journal your feelings
Life can be hectic and bring a lot of challenges. Taking some time to reflect on your emotions, writing down your thoughts can bring up new perspectives. It can be a very personal experience and it’s worth giving it a try!
Life can be hectic and bring a lot of challenges. Taking some time to reflect on your emotions, writing down your thoughts can bring up new perspectives. It can be a very personal experience and it’s worth giving it a try!
26 Dec
Have a self-care day
As author L.R. Knost wrote, “Taking care of yourself doesn’t mean me first, it means me too.” We sometimes tend to prioritise others and lose sight of ourselves, but it’s important to set aside some time for you. Take a look at The Mix’s article about practicing self-care and try to implement at least one in your day!
As author L.R. Knost wrote, “Taking care of yourself doesn’t mean me first, it means me too.” We sometimes tend to prioritise others and lose sight of ourselves, but it’s important to set aside some time for you. Take a look at The Mix’s article about practicing self-care and try to implement at least one in your day!
27 Dec
Practice yoga or meditation
There’s a wide range of yoga YouTube videos out there. Pick one and try it out for a few minutes to see if you enjoy it. For meditation, you can try apps such as Calm or Headspace to get you started on a new wellness journey.
There’s a wide range of yoga YouTube videos out there. Pick one and try it out for a few minutes to see if you enjoy it. For meditation, you can try apps such as Calm or Headspace to get you started on a new wellness journey.
28 Dec
Volunteer
Volunteering can be such a rewarding experience where you can meet many like-minded people. You can volunteer in-person in your local area or online. Your involvement could make a difference in someone’s day.
Volunteering can be such a rewarding experience where you can meet many like-minded people. You can volunteer in-person in your local area or online. Your involvement could make a difference in someone’s day.
29 Dec
Donate if you can
Donate any unused clothes, toys or food to your local shelters or charities. Check what you can bring to those places beforehand and set up a day to drop them off. Your small gesture will make so many people happy!
Donate any unused clothes, toys or food to your local shelters or charities. Check what you can bring to those places beforehand and set up a day to drop them off. Your small gesture will make so many people happy!
30 Dec
Go on a walk and take pictures
Sometimes going out for a walk can help you reset your day and clear your head. To make it more fun, take pictures of the winter decorations around where you live.
Sometimes going out for a walk can help you reset your day and clear your head. To make it more fun, take pictures of the winter decorations around where you live.
31 Dec
Make a bucket list for the next year
And finally, this may sound obvious but don’t underestimate the power a list can hold! The goals don’t need to be big; it’s better to start off small and build up from there.
And finally, this may sound obvious but don’t underestimate the power a list can hold! The goals don’t need to be big; it’s better to start off small and build up from there.
Thank you Catalina for putting together such great activities for this winter challenge
Maybe somethings don't get better, but we do. We get stronger. We learn to live with our situations as messy and ugly as they are. We fix what we can and we adapt to what we can't. Maybe some of us will never fully be okay, but at least we're here. We're still trying. We're doing the best we can. That's worth celebrating too ❤
Post edited by JustV on
4
Comments