British summertime comes to an end on 30th October. As the clocks go back an hour, our evenings will be plunged into darkness earlier. The lack of daylight as winter looms can have a detrimental effect on the mental health of many.
Perhaps this year lots of us will feel the impact of dark nights more keenly. Memories of last year’s colder months spent in lockdown are still fresh. This winter is predicted to be tough for many people. The difficulties of the pandemic continue and the impact of the cost of living crisis will be felt.
Perhaps this is a particularly good time to consider our own mental health and that of others as we prepare to leave for work on a morning and return home in darkness. One initiative that has become an annual fixture on the last weekend in October is the Lost Hours Walk.
The Lost Hours Walk
As we wind the hands back 60 minutes from 2 am next weekend, CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably) will host their annual Lost Hours Walk through London to remember those who have been lost to suicide and find strength for those who have been bereaved in community.
The ethos of the Lost Hours Walk is a powerful one. The premise is, if you could get just one hour back with someone who has taken their own life, how would you spend it? It’s a powerful message that is celebratory and defiant. You don’t need to live in the capital to take part either. The charity is encouraging everyone, everywhere, to take to the streets, to the park, to the country paths, to do their own walk locally and in their own way, no matter the distance.
Walking for wellbeing
We’re all aware of the positive impact simply taking a walk in the fresh air can have on our mental well-being. Perhaps now is a good time to think about ways in which we can incorporate even just a short walk outdoors during the day to help us through the darker evenings.
Take a look at our current discounts for NHS workers and see if there’s anything you need that could help you get out more.
