If you’re in eastern Wisconsin receiving care with Miramont BH, you may experience temperatures as low as -10 degrees this winter. If you head north for an hour or two, temperatures may plunge as low as -30 in the state’s coldest months. November through March may seem like its own brand of madness for anyone in our Middletown substance use disorder treatment programs. For those of you who attend our intensive outpatient programs in Waukesha, just making it to meetings may be daunting when factoring in the weather.
Regardless of the time of year and whatever mental health issue you’re up against, we always recommend a few tips for managing mental health:
- Practice finding any positive elements of your current situation—even if they seem far-fetched.
- Try to generate a sense of gratitude for that positive thing that you can identify. You can work toward this in therapy or when taking the time to journal through your emotions and feelings.
- Connect with others around you, especially peers in your program or trusted mentors, friends, family members, or healthcare professionals.
- Educate yourself on meditation and relaxation techniques that minimize stress and anxiety symptoms.
- Get as much sleep and proper nutrition as possible.
- Stay physically active to the best of your body’s ability.
This last point is especially important during the winter months when vitamin D is in short supply and spirits can often feel low. Physical activity does so much to promote your happiness and health:
- It helps you to cope with stressors, triggers, and anxiety.
- It improves focus and productivity.
- It can help you find community and connect with new people.
- It helps regulate your moods, reduces the severity of depression symptoms, can improve sleep, and does wonders for your general well-being.
However, as the nights grow longer and the days darker, more creativity is required when it comes to staying active. Luckily, the Badger State is no stranger to harsh winters and has a strong, glorious tradition of practicing indoor sports.
Keep reading to uncover the most popular, pro-endorphin, fun indoor activities to keep your brain, body, and spirits as high as ever: the natural way!
Wisconsin’s Most Popular Indoor Sports
Sports work to your advantage in recovery, and here are the most popular indoor types you can find:
- Pickleball: A mix of table tennis, tennis, and badminton, pickleball is all about moving your body and having a blast. Its popularity has skyrocketed in recent years, and it’s a game that can lift your mood when temperatures sink. There’s no need to show up with perfected skills or a sharp understanding of complicated rules, either.
- Ice Hockey: Wisconsin has everything that makes ice hockey possible–insanely cold temperatures and large bodies of water. A thriving midwestern sport, ice hockey has birthed legends like Earl Lambeau, Phil Kessel, and Joe Pavelski. Luckily, you don’t have to play outside on a lake. You can find an indoor rink near you to learn the basics and make great friends in the process.
- Basketball: Basketball is almost as beloved as ice hockey in Wisconsin, and there are so many reasons why. It builds confidence and self-esteem. The game can allow you to strengthen your ability to feel empathy for yourself and others. It’s a sport that promotes life skills and team building.
Stay Active This Winter With Miramont Behavioral Health
At both of our inpatient and outpatient centers, we understand the challenges our patients face in the winter months. With less daylight, heightened feelings of depression, and changing sleep patterns, cold temperatures can bring cravings and psychological obstacles to your doorstep when you’re least prepared.
If you or someone you love is struggling with their mental health this winter as they battle addiction or another mental health disorder, please contact us today. We’re here to promote all areas of your well-being no matter the season!
