Surviving the January Blues

‘January Blues’ can manifest itself as low mood, sadness, lack of motivation, low energy and tiredness. The month of cold weather, dark mornings and the low following Christmas time can mean the ‘January Blues’ strike.

It is normal to feel low during January, and there is nothing wrong with feeling this way. Most people will be going through similar feelings so understanding that it is natural is helpful.

There are a few simple steps you can take to ease the low mood:

  • Keep active – A one hour walk in the middle of the day can really help lift your mood
  • Get outside – Go outdoors in natural daylight as much as you can or sit by a window if you are unable to get outside
  • Keep warm – Being cold can make you feel more depressed so keep warm with hot food and drinks. The optimum temperature for your home is 18 – 21C
  • Eat well – A healthy diet will boost your mood and stop you putting on weight over the winter. It will also keep you healthy and keep illness at bay
  • Consider light therapy – Light therapy can be beneficial to some people who suffer from seasonal depression. Light boxes give out very bright light at least 10 times stronger than ordinary home and office lighting. They’re not available on the NHS and cost around £100
  • Find a new hobby – Having something to look forward to or concentrate on can really help with low mood. It can be anything from joining the gym, to keeping a journal or singing, knitting or dancing
  • See friends and family – Socialising is good for your mental health and can help keep the winter blues at bay. Make an effort to keep in touch with people you care about and go along to social events, even if it’s only for a short while
  • Seek help – If your symptoms are so bad, you can’t live a normal life, speak to your GP

If you feel you may be suffering from anxiety and/or depression, it is important to talk to your GP and get help and support to make you feel better. If you’re feeling particularly low, there is always someone to talk to via The Samaritans or via NHS111.

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