5 ways to fight the January blues

Fresh back at work and missing that period between Christmas and New Year spent lounging on the sofa, not really knowing what day it is? You’re not alone – January can be hard, especially when you’re trying to get back into the swing of things. 

However, it doesn’t have to all be doom and gloom! In fact, why not make this January a bright one by trying something new? In this blog, we share 5 of our favourite ways to fight the January blues. 

1.Exercise 

Before you roll your eyes, we’re not asking you to be cliché and sign up for the gym with the rest of the New Year’s resolutioners. However, it has been proven that exercise is brilliant for your mental health as it releases endorphins and generally provides people with a great sense of accomplishment. 

Here’s some ideas to get you up and active this January: 

• Brisk walks – plus, the exposure to sunlight will help regulate sleep and boost your mood!
• Swimming
• Dance workout (this could be a Zumba class or in the comfort of your living room!)
• Join an exercise class or sports team 
• Make small lifestyle changes – e.g. getting off the bus a few stops early to get your steps in or walking up the stairs at work instead of taking the lift

2.Have something to look forward to 

Whether you invite your friends over for dinner, or organise a big trip abroad, having something to look forward to will help you push on through the Monday of months that is January. Plus, who said January has to be mundane? Fill it to the brim with exciting plans and feel good activities and you’ll forget why the January blues ever existed! 

3.Reduce screen time

During a period of short dark days and cold weather, we know how easy it can be to succumb to the comfort of a Netflix show or TikTok scroll – but overexposure to artificial light can have a negative impact on our health. Not only can it cause damage to your eyesight, but also disrupts melatonin levels and thus, your ability to fall asleep at night. And guess what? No sleep, for most people, equals low mood and energy the following day. Not ideal – especially during January. Try to limit your screen time to a certain amount of time each day – the NHS recommends no longer than 2 hours outside of work activities. You could replace the hours you would have spent scrolling with something like socialising with your family/friends or getting into cooking. 

4.Take up a new hobby 

Speaking of cooking, why not try something new this January? Getting out of your comfort zone and shaking up your routine can be a great way to mitigate any negative feelings. Plus, it gives your brain something different to focus on. This doesn’t have to be expensive either – it could be as simple as cycling, photography (especially if you have an iPhone – no excuses!) or set yourself a challenge, like visiting every museum in London. 

5.Don’t be too hard on yourself 

There can be a lot of pressure at the start of a new year to suddenly become a better person and achieve all your goals overnight. We all know deep down that this isn’t realistic – or sustainable – and when you eventually fail on meeting those expectations, it can put you in a worse mindset than before you started. So instead of setting overly ambitious standards for yourself, try starting small or focusing on one goal at a time. For example, if your New Year’s resolution is to land your dream career, start by polishing your CV and applying for a job a week. Also prioritise setting some time aside for self-care, like reading a book you got for Christmas that’s been collecting dust since or treating yourself to a coffee from that cafe by work you keep eyeing up. Remember, balance is key.

We hope you find these tips helpful and wish all of our candidates a fantastic new year, full of success and happiness!