With its cold, rainy days and long dark nights, January is a tough time of the year for many. The post-festive season slump can be hard to shake, however there are things we can do to boost our mood and energy levels to kick start the new year in a positive light.
Foods that can boost your mood:
There are some essential vitamins and nutrients that are great for boosting your mood, through elevating your energy level and fueling your body.
Omega-3 fatty acids are highly beneficial for energy levels, and have even been found to function as mood stabilisers in some people. A study conducted in New Zealand found that the consumption of fish (a food rich in Omega-3 fatty acids) was linked to an improved sense of emotional wellbeing, even when researchers took other possibly influencing factors into account.
Incorporating foods rich in Omega-3s could go a long way in improving your mood, and is even easy to do if you have a plant-based diet, as foods such as flaxseed, cauliflower, kidney beans and broccoli are ideal for a boost.
Magnesium is also very important when it comes to your energy levels, so consuming foods high in magnesium could give you a lift in this gloomy period: Pumpkin seeds, spinach, almonds, peanuts, bananas, kidney beans and dark chocolate are amongst some of the best sources of this nutrient.
Drinks that can boost your mood:
We’ve all been told that drinking enough water is an important aspect of staying healthy, and the NHS advises that drinking six to eight glasses a day of fluid (not just water) is essential. Sugar free and low fat drinks like squash, milk, tea, and coffee all count, and can contain antioxidants and nutrients than help to alleviate lethargy.
Matcha is a great option for those looking for something with more kick than regular green tea, as it contains an amino-acid called L-Theanine that soothes the mind whilst still giving you an energy boost. If you have more of a sweet tooth, brewing your own green or black tea and adding different fruits to taste is a great way to curb cravings and drink more healthy fluids.
Kefir is full of gut-boosting probiotics, making it a fantastic drink choice to boost your mood. Diversifying the gut microbiome means it can communicate correctly with the brain – essential for good mental health and a boosted mood.
Smoothies are a great way of consuming more fruits and vegetables, and when they’re homemade you know exactly what’s in them too, so no need to worry about excess sugar. Bananas are high in magnesium, potassium, and vitamins C and B6 so are a great base. Thanks to to https://www.iceheadshop.co.uk/ who commissioned this data.
Fresh air and relaxation
If possible, try to spend some time outside in the fresh air. This will help to clear the mind. Relaxing with a good book could also be a fantastic way to keep those intrusive thoughts at bay. We wrote about 5 non-fiction books here.
Relaxing Spa Breaks
Turn Blue Monday into You Monday – 10% Off All Spabreaks.com bookings and vouchers for Blue Monday. Beating the January blues is something we’ve been trying to tackle for a long time. A month known for its dark weather, sad moods and hibernating post-Christmas. This year, Spabreaks.com are working to flip this stereotype on its head turning Blue Monday into You Monday with 10% off all Spabreaks.com bookings and vouchers.
The current cost of living crisis is having a significant impact on mental health and wellbeing. According to the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, 49% of therapists say their clients are cutting back on activities that benefit their mental health, such as gym and sports club memberships. As we’re now having to decide more carefully what we choose to spend our money on, Spabreaks.com wants to make self-care more accessible for everyone this Blue Monday. Spabreaks.com ‘You Monday’ 2023 offer.
Shaking off the connotations of Blue Monday and turning it into a day for you, shedding light on the importance of looking after your mental health and wellbeing which is often heightened by the January blues.
Spa recommended ways to turn Blue Monday in You Monday:
Aromatherapy – Aromatherapy can be used in a variety of ways, in skincare, in massages and treatments etc. It’s a great way to tackle the feelings that dark January days bring. Spa treatments are an easy way to incorporate the benefits of aromatherapy such as brightening mood, calming and boosting immunity.
Light therapy – Light therapy is a great substitute for the little sunlight we have access to in January. Lack of light leads to a lack of vitamin D which can begin to get us down.
Exercise – A great way to boost and balance your mood in January is through endorphins produced by exercise. Whether it’s a walk around spa gardens, a few laps in the pool or a power gym session, our selection of spas has an offering for everyone.
Top Spa Picks for You Monday:
The Spa at Mandarin Oriental London
The spa and wellness at Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park offers space and serenity. Their signature therapies, combine with face and body treatments using Mandarin Oriental’s bespoke signature oils, Nescens, Aromatherapy Associates, Sodashi and Linda Meredith products.
The subterranean spa facilities at K West are all about relaxation and rejuvenation. The sleep-inducing Sun Meadow room offers gentle light therapy to help relieve the symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder. As well as offering a long list of holistic massages, facials, rituals and finishing touches as well.
The Gym & Spa at King Street Townhouse is brand new and located next door to the hotel, via a short walk outside and is very much a destination in its own right. The gym offers 360° wellbeing and fitness, with a cardio zone, functional zone, strength zone and free weights zone, all fitted with state-of-the-art exercise equipment from Technogym.
Making Blue Monday and January as a whole, a month of self-care, wellness and setting up for the new year as you mean to go on. Whatever form of self-care works for you, take time for yourself to unwind and relax. Putting this into action can often be trickier than it looks. With the current cost of living crisis, finding room in the budget for self-care is becoming increasingly more difficult but also becoming increasingly more important to do so. So, to make it a little easier and to support You Monday, Spabreaks.com are holding a flash sale. On Monday January 16th, you can get 10% off all Spabreaks.com bookings and vouchers.
Spabreaks.com offer a wide range of spa treatments, days and breaks across the UK. And so whichever way you want to utilise your You Monday, there’s something for everyone. A curated range of offerings to set up your 2023 in the right way. For more information or to book visit www.spabreaks.com or call 0800 043 6600.
Talk to someone
Don’t forget that you can always talk to someone if you are struggling on blue Monday. Please find links to ‘Mind’ the mental health charity and The Samaritans below. Reach out to friends and family who may also be able to offer advice and help to boost your mood this week. https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/ / https://www.samaritans.org/
