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Five ways to beat those January blues

After all the festive fun, over indulgence and lazy mornings, January appears like a bolt from the blue.

There’s no doubt that January is a tough month – cold weather, shorter days and that’s without the added pressure of New Year resolutions that now feel nigh on impossible to keep.

But it doesn’t have to be all doom and gloom, there are practical things you can do to lift those spirits and banish those January blues.

Socialise

The temptation is to hunker down in January and shut out the world and pretty much hibernate! But actually we all feel better when we spend time with friends and family. That social connection really can make the world of difference.

So go out for a coffee and a chat, have a pint in the pub or even join a club and start a new hobby. Any of these ideas will make you feel less isolated and a lot less miserable this month!

Get outside

Pull on your wellies, wrap up warm and head outside. Nothing is better to boost your mood than sunlight – even the small amounts we have here in the winter. So even in small doses, a hit of vitamin D does wonders for your energy levels and any exercise just makes you feel more positive about life in general.

Here in Wiltshire we have the most incredible countryside to explore. So head to Our Areas pages where you will find some walks to inspire you like this one from the village of Dinton to Compton Chamberlayne. It’s 6.5 miles around Fovant Wood and across the water meadows and park.

Eat well

Forget the promise you made to yourself, while tucking into that creamy oozy brie, that come January you would go on a diet and lose three stone – that’s not going to help with your mood. But what will is eating all the good stuff.

Dark, leafy greens are rich in vitamins A, C, and K, as well as iron and potassium. These goodies help us fight off colds and flu, and boost brain function – plus they taste delicious!

Cauliflower, parsnips and squash are also packed with nutrients and are fantastic made into winter warming soups.

Also don’t forget the power of citrus fruits – vitamin C is a must for us all at this time of year – so stick an extra bag of oranges in the trolley!

If you can’t be bothered to cook, head out to some of our amazing pubs on our patch and tuck into a hearty Sunday roast. The Compass Inn at Lower Chicksgrove is a firm favourite of ours – check out our blog here.

Declutter your home

Let’s be honest, our homes are our sanctuaries and there’s nothing better to recharge those batteries than a warm, cosy space to relax.

One of the best things about January, is taking down all the dust collecting decorations and getting back to normal. But you could go one step further and totally declutter – everything! From that drawer in the kitchen that has everything from tin openers to balls of string, to your wardrobe stuffed with clothes that haven’t seen the light of day since 2005. A proper rootle and clear out does wonders for your soul!

Then, with the help of a few candles, a nice soft blanket and well-placed lamps, your home will feel inviting and relaxing. You can see it now, cuddled up reading a great book with a steaming mug of tea! Who cares what month it is or what the weather is doing!

A bit of mindfulness

January can be a time for reflection, but it can also feel like there’s pressure to do too much. The key to avoiding burnout is balance.

Now there are loads of tips and tricks out there for calming the mind and relaxing, everything from meditation to a bubble bath and a good book. But one of the best things we practice is cuddling your dog!

According to the Open University ‘Cuddling your furry friend (dog, cat, rabbit…) reduces levels of Cortisol, the hormone that is responsible for stress, anxiety and depression.’ It does however warn that if you don’t have a pet, a human will do … but make sure you know them and have checked they want one first!

Blog

Five ways to beat those January blues

Socialise

Get outside

Eat well

Declutter your home

A bit of mindfulness

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