In Glasgow, winter often means leaving work in darkness, shorter days and fewer opportunities to spend time outdoors. These seasonal changes make winter low mood (winter blue) a common experience for many young professionals. People often know which routines help their wellbeing, yet these habits are hard to sustain as motivation declines. Existing services largely rely on individuals seeking help, but low mood itself makes the first step difficult. This project explores how service design can support prevention and self-management by helping people sustain small protective routines through winter.
The project proposes a seasonal behaviour-support service that helps young professionals prepare before winter motivation declines. By creating a gentle Winter Rhythm with trusted friends, users build realistic routines and mutual support. Throughout winter, the service recommends timely local activities based on preferences, friends’ availability and community events, while helping users adapt plans when energy is low. Through shared experiences and reflection, users learn what works best for them and carry these insights into future winters. The project aims to support sustainable winter wellbeing through early preparation, social connection and everyday routines.