As the dust settles on the festive period, it can be easy to fall into the ‘doom trap’ of January. However, there are many ways to lift your spirits and look after your mental wellbeing during the darker months.
Here are a few small suggestions – let us know yours!
Plan a holiday
Or better yet, go on one. At this time of year travel prices are often extremely reasonable, and you may be able to book a luxury escape for a steal if you look in the right places.
Planning for something enjoyable on the horizon such as a holiday gives us something to look forward to as we move through the year, which is a great motivator. If you are feeling extra dedicated, your choice of destination may also spawn a new hobby – learning the language! Una tazza di espresso, anyone?
Go for a walk
Even if it’s just around the park or up to the shops, get out of your house and get some fresh air (but wrap up warm, it’s cold out!). It is truly remarkable just how much simply moving your body and experiencing the outdoors can lift your mood – it releases endorphins and provides you with that much-needed and scarce-available burst of Vitamin D that we all lack during the winter months. Which brings us to:
Take Vitamin D supplements
As with anything health-related, always check with your doctor before changing your supplement routine. That said, the UK government and senior health bodies recommend that all adults in the UK should take a daily Vitamin D supplement during the winter, as the sun in this country is only strong enough to meet our Vitamin D needs from April to September. This is especially true if your skin is darker, as Vitamin D requirements are higher for skin with more melanin.
Vitamin D plays an important role in your body’s overall maintenance, particularly with regards to bone and muscle health, and has also been linked to mental wellbeing in countless scientific studies over the past decade. After a week or so of taking it consistently, you will likely feel yourself experiencing slightly higher energy levels.
Make your favourite soup
Make it a luncheon and invite a neighbour, a friend, or a family member round for lunch and a catch up. Socialising with people you love is an excellent mood booster, and soup is one of those easy-to-make and easy-to-love foods that feels cosy and nostalgic every single time. If you are not a soup fan, substitute it for any easy-to-assemble lunch of your choice – the key here is to enjoy it in good company.
Review your financial plan
This one might sound less ‘fun’ than the others, but if you are feeling the itch of ‘new year, new me’ and need to scratch it, this could be the way to do it. Regularly reviewing your financial plan is the only way to make sure that it stays true to you and your family which, after all, is what it’s there for.
Pull it out of the drawer and get planning – perhaps you will feel newly inspired as 2024 unfolds.
