Overcoming winter loneliness

Cleveland Clinic's Dr. Chivonna Childs gives some tips on how to fight off the loneliness that can settle in during winter months.

Transcript

00:00I think it is very important that we push through with the colder weather

00:04setting in. It may be tempting to hunker down indoors, but that can take a

00:08toll on your mental health. We still need activity. We still need to get our

00:12bodies moving. We still need to tap into that motivation and ambition and

00:16energy, even when it's low. While it can be tough to leave the house in the

00:20winter, try to still schedule regular hangouts with friends and family.

00:23Carving out this time will give you something to look forward to and help

00:26you get through the bouts of loneliness. And when the weather isn't ideal, you

00:30can always call or video chat with a loved one instead. If you're not sure

00:34who to reach out to, Dr Childs suggests starting by contacting a friend or

00:37family member you've been meaning to reconnect with. Along with socializing,

00:41finding a new hobby or project to work on can also help with the winter

00:45loneliness. Write a book. Do something you've always wanted to do. What's on

00:49your bucket list? What is the one thing you thought you'd never do because you

00:52didn't have time? You've got time now in the winter. Pick that hobby and pick

00:56it up and do it. You're more than capable. But if feelings of loneliness

01:00get too overwhelming and start impacting your daily life, don't hesitate to reach

01:04out to a mental health professional. And if you are heading out, check your

01:07AccuWeather app and use the hourly forecast to find those nice weather

01:11windows. For AccuWeather, I'm meteorologist Tony Laubach.