Combatting the January Blues and prioritising self-care in 2025!

Here are just a few ways you may choose to combat the January Blues this year:

• Be kind to yourself – January is often filled with a promise of renewal, but for most people, the expectation to uphold resolutions and decisions becomes more of a burden than a blessing. Remember to be kind and patient with yourself. If you struggle to keep to your goals and you are struggling to cope, go easy on yourself and break things down into bite-sized chunks. Every day offers a new opportunity to restart, a slip-up is not the end of the world. Reach out for support if you feel you would benefit from talking things through and look to make smaller changes to better yourself, instead of huge challenges.
• Consider your food choices – Diet can be really helpful at this time of year – and no, we don’t mean going ‘on a diet’ but instead making food choices that with positively support your mental health and overall well-being. Indulging in high-carb, high-sugar treats may be a delicious treat every now and again, but when consumed in excess, these dan contribute to low mood and feeling rubbish. Instead, why not try some new recipes for nourishing meals, especially those rich in omega-3 oils, which can assist in combatting sadness and pessimism.
• Stay active and social – Whilst it can be tempting to stay inside and isolate yourself through January, getting outside and staying connected with others is a great way to preserve your mental health. This doesn’t need to cost anything! Meeting a friend for a walk and a catch up can be fulfilling and is beneficial for your physical health too!
• Check for Seasonal Adjustment Disorder – If you are struggling to keep a positive mindset or if health is negatively impacted eery January, you may be suffering with Seasonal Affective Disorder, which is a condition that affects 1 in 3 people within the UK. You can speak with your GP if you suspect you may have this to consider options for support.

January may bring different thoughts, feelings and emotions to each individual. Whilst for some, January may signify change, new beginnings and an opportunity to start introducing healthier habits in the place of old tendencies, It can also invite immense pressures to completely reform your whole being. At the EIC, we appreciate how personal each person’s journey through January can be and we acknowledge that this month can be one of the hardest. The colder months are challenging for a whole host of reasons – don’t make them harder for yourself! We often speak about self-care but how frequently do we allow ourselves the time to take our own advice? Instead of making resolutions, why not soften this to intentions to alleviate some of the pressures you may feel. As we enter 2025, remember that self-care isn’t a luxury – it’s a necessity. Make time for you this year!