Camptoo Head of Wanderlust advises ways to boost winter wellbeing.
It’s dark, it’s cold and we’re only mid-way through January, so it’s no wonder that many of us are feeling a little deflated. However, instead of wishing the season away, Camptoo is encouraging people to take joy from the simple pleasures in life by trying out some easy happiness hacks.
Ed Bassett, Head of Wanderlust at Camptoo: “The key is to think ahead and start planning your year – fill it with new activities, new places and the people you love. Anything that involves spending more time outdoors – whether it be walking, surfing, climbing or cycling – is a bonus.”
Here, Ed shares his top tips to help Brits embrace winter.
Mindset boost
Take inspiration from Scandinavian nations such as Sweden and Denmark and embrace winter the Nordic way. Despite enduring long winters, plummeting temperatures (-30°C) and very limited daylight, Swedes and Danes embrace winter as a time to slow down and enjoy the simple pleasures in life.
Whether it’s catching up with friends over coffee, snuggling up on the sofa and watching a favourite film, filling your house with the smell of freshly baked bread or taking a relaxing bath, spending leisurely time at home is important for rest and relaxation.
Exercise the blues away
Exercising is one of the simplest ways to boost your mood. Research has shown that just a 15-minute walk at lunch time is enough to increase crucial neurotransmitters, such as dopamine and norepinephrine, which help energise the brain and regulate circadian rhythms. This is on top of the hit of endorphins aka the happy hormone.
Add exercise into your day by taking short and frequent walks outdoors throughout the day. You’ll be able to concentrate better in the long-run and be more productive as a result.
Employ man’s best friend
Is there a nation more in love with their dogs than the UK? Come rain or shine, there’s nothing better than heading to the local park or woodland with your dog. Aside from the physical benefits of a walk in a park, spending time with a pet can also decrease blood pressure, lower feelings of stress and reduce feelings of loneliness.
Even if you don’t have a dog of your own you can still enjoy the feel-good endorphins from a walk in the park with man’s best friend with the app Borrow my Doggy or check in with a local dog shelter who will be grateful for the extra help.
Smells like team spirit
Interacting with others boosts feelings of well-being and being part of a team fosters a sense of community spirit – the perfect January pick-me-up!
If you spend your whole week wishing for the weekend, only to spend it vegging out on the sofa, consider joining a local sports team. Team sports can increase long-term happiness and will give you a hit of hit of endorphins aka the happy hormone.
Alternatively, consider a creative pursuit such as a local crafting group or a weekly art class. When we’re being creative, we enter a meditative state which helps to reduce levels of stress and anxiety.
Social media de-clutter
Scrolling through your Instagram feed can make it seem like everyone has decamped to Thailand over winter and is positively glowing thanks to the combination of glorious sunshine and daily yoga/trekking/surfing.
January is a good time to curate your social media channels by unfollowing and muting any account that makes you feel unhappy, envious or less than and only follow accounts that inspire you.
Get cosy
Life is all about finding the right balance. Whilst spending time socialising or exercising outdoors contributes to good mental and physical health, so does knowing when to take a step back and enjoy some rest and recuperation.
Enter ‘coorie’, a Scottish word meaning to snuggle or nestle. If it feels good, there’s nothing wrong with spending an evening rugged up on the sofa whilst binge watching Netflix, especially in the middle of winter.
Hit the road
If the only thing that’s getting you through is the hope of a weekend break, you’re not alone. Research suggests that it’s the anticipation of a holiday that gives us the most joy, so use a grey afternoon to plan a summer road-trip with loved ones.
And if your ambitions of heading off on a great American road-trip are out of reach, consider a UK road-trip instead. Create a road trip playlist, pick your destination and plan some fun activities, such as a wintery beach walk. Getting out into nature shouldn’t be a summer-only pursuit, so consider planning a short-term winter trip.
To find out more and book your road trip, visit www.camptoo.co.uk.
-Ends-
Notes to editors:
Camptoo’s Head of Wanderlust and UK Country Manager, Ed Bassett, is available for interview or comment upon request.
For further press information, please contact:
Elsa Findlay | Jo Kendall
Rooster PR
T: +44 (0) 20 3440 8930
E: [email protected]
About Camptoo
Launched in the Netherlands in 2014, Camptoo is a sharing economy platform that connects the owners and renters of campervans, motorhomes and touring caravans.
Since it was launched, Camptoo users have booked over 175,000 nights in vehicles rented through the site. Owners are able to generate income from their campervan when it’s not being used while renters have greater flexibility when booking their vehicle so that it best suits their needs.
There are over 3,500 vehicles to choose from across Europe and a further 400 across Australia, with more being added every week. Vehicles are properly insured to allow both owner as well as renter a carefree holiday, with Camptoo providing all the necessary paperwork, checklists and roadside assistance. For more information, visit http://www.camptoo.co.uk
