January can be an overwhelming month, where we feel pressure to reflect on the year gone and form expectations for the year ahead. Whilst this can be a time where positive changes are made, we often become self-critical and set unrealistic goals for ourselves. Pair this with the dark mornings, short days and cold wet weather, it becomes more and more difficult for us to prevent our environment affecting our mental wellbeing.
Most of us are aware that physical activity can have a positive effect on mental wellbeing; but did you know that it can have a positive impact on your mood, relieve stress, increase self-esteem and reduce anxiety and depression? (Mental Health Foundation) Head of information at MIND says that although feeling low often can reduce your desire to be physically active, especially as exercise is less appealing during winter months like January, it can be very effective in lifting your mood and increasing your energy levels.
If you have made the decision that physical activity or general wellbeing might be something you’d like to improve this year, take a look at these simple tips for helping you stick to your goals:
- Make sure they are achievable; remember that any amount of activity counts! You don’t have to run a marathon to feel the benefits of being physically active. Set yourself small goals for throughout the year, that way you will be able to see your progress and achievements more clearly.
- Choose an activity that is free. There are loads of things you can do that cost no money at all, reducing the pressure on finances at what can already be a tough time of year. Lots of gyms have free trial passes in January. Parkrun is free and is held every week over 693 locations; find your nearest one here, or contact your local Active Partnership (us!) to signpost you to other free activities in your area.
- Be active with a friend! Why not ask a colleague if they want to go for a walk at lunch? Or take a friend with you to a new exercise class! Social support can be a great motivator; you’re more likely to keep it up if you have someone with you. It also gives you the time to talk to a friend, they might have needed it too.
- Try something new- there’s no point renewing your gym membership if you never used it before. We will only continue to take part in an activity if it works for us and makes us feel good. Try a new activity or sport, you never know what you might have a hidden talent for!
- Spend time outdoors – with the short days and lack of sunlight, we need to be getting outdoors as much as we can! Walking, cycling and jogging are activities you can take at your own pace, in your own time, with the added benefit of being in the fresh air. Taking time to pause in nature can also be a chance to practise some mindfulness techniques.
