Do you struggle
with dark winters?
03.11.20
DO you struggle to get
through the long, dark winters? Does it affect your mood
and mental health? Do you spend most of the season
comfort eating and wishing the days away until spring or
summertime?
Then a new online programme, available now, may be just
the support you need to thrive this winter... |
'Thriving Winter' is the
brainchild of local Inishowen fisherman and musician
Luke McGuinness. The 14-week structured programme aims
to transform winter into a positive and fulfilling
experience for everyone taking part.
Luke explains, “It combines physical activity,
creativity, mindfulness and gratitude to help you manage
winter and boost your mental well-being. This course is
delivered through weekly sessions and there’s an online
support group to help out in between.”
“Thriving Winter is aimed at others like me who need a
helping hand to guide them through this darker season.
It’s for anyone who finds the winter long, bleak or
painful or who feels overwhelmed, tired or unfocused in
winter.”
Luke spent several years abroad, working on boats, and
really felt the mental challenge of Irish winters when
he came home. So, last year he took action to help
himself and others face the season.
“I organised Facebook and WhatsApp groups to get people
together for activities to break the monotony of the
winter months. We went for hikes, runs and swims. The
sense of community that came along with this helped to
make the season more enjoyable.”
“Now, the current Covid restrictions mean that meeting
up with others from outside of your household is not
advised. So, I figured a fun and engaging online course
could be a good solution to this problem.”
Over the last few years, Luke has assembled what is
basically a mental toolkit. “People could benefit
massively from getting access to this toolkit. Taking
part in the course also offers structure and
accountability to help make sure they meet their own
expectations.”
Participants will receive a link to each weekly video
every weekend and can also access them through the
website. Luke continued, “Each video will have helpful
tips for dealing with winter’s challenges. They will
also have tasks to ensure that participants can apply
these tips and tools right away.”
“The course will start off slow and easy but become
slightly more challenging as it progresses. There will
indeed be some hard work involved, as there usually is
with all the best things in life.”
Luke said there is a Facebook group to accompany the
course. “This group will create a very kind and
supportive community between sessions. This will help
boost your motivation and focus to meet winter’s
challenges head on.”
“My hope is that those who take part will feel
energised, focused and content throughout the winter
months. So, by springtime they’ll feel the course made
winter more bearable but also improved the rest of their
lives too.
To find out more or to book a place on the course, email
luke@thrivingwinter.ie , phone 0867359363 or go to
www.thrivingwinter.ie . |
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