January and February can be gloomy months - and not just weather-wise - with many of us counting the financial cost of Christmas and feeling demotivated and lethargic.

While a raft of studies has proven that long dark days and a lack of sunshine can affect our physical and mental health, our Lifestyle and Leisure Editor, Sharon Cain, shares steps we can take to shake off winter blues and make the most of every precious day.

Get Outdoors
At this time of year when my mojo disappears into a dark corner and refuses to be coaxed out, my solution is immersing myself in the great outdoors.

While I’m beyond fortunate to live near the coast in Northumberland, you can find walks to lift your spirit everywhere – in the country, on the coast, or in towns and cities.

As a starting point, local parks are a good pick-me-up from the daily grind, and an opportunity to interact with other walkers, particularly dog walkers if you’re a fan of our furry friends. I’ve never taken my golden retriever, Bracken, out without chatting to fellow dog owners.

Even when reluctantly heading out in bracing weather, my mood and perspective are lifted on returning home and I tackle work and deadlines more positively. When travelling and motorhoming with my husband, photographer, Steve, and Bracken, we love walking to keep healthy and focused.

Walking regularly - even ten minutes a day - boosts our physical health by strengthening muscles and bones and reduces the risk of osteoporosis.

Walking groups, an ideal way to meet new people and engender a sense of community, can be found wherever you live. Charities also host fundraising walks across the UK.

If you want to pick up your pace, there are over 1,300 free of charge park runs around the country every weekend in which you can walk, jog, run, volunteer or spectate.

There is a 5-kilometre parkrun every Saturday morning with a 2-kilometre junior run on Sunday mornings for 4–14-year-olds. I’ve participated in the Saturday events and found them great good fun and a motivator with volunteers clapping and cheering everyone on.

Swimming and cycling, both low impact activities, are ideal for enhancing wellbeing and boosting metabolism. The health benefits of cycling include strengthening legs while swimming is good for strengthening the upper body.

Set Realistic Goals

There’s nothing more uplifting than the sense of achievement in setting and fulfilling targets – whether they are grand, modest, emotional or practical.

When setting them, avoid making unrealistic ones that will set your stress levels soaring and your sense of well-being plummeting.

I have always found the SMART formula for ensuring they are Smart, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Timebound (have a deadline) work well. Also, don’t forget to celebrate your achievements, no matter how large or small, such as buying a new book, going for afternoon tea with friends or treating yourself to ‘a little something’.

Practical life goals and work goals can include:
Practical life and work goals can include:
Learning new skills/new language
Have a clear out/declutter
Losing weight
Moving home
Being financially secure
Achieving a promotion
Secure a new job or career path
Emotional goals can include:
Self-care such as getting more sleep, meditation, yoga, Pilates
Addressing issues which make you stressed/anxious
Doing more of what makes you happy (dancing, hobbies, social groups)
Eliminate habits which set you back
Avoid comparing yourself to others
Learn to say ‘no’

Think Positively

It’s all too easy to become mired in the negative when life isn’t going smoothly. The good news is that there are techniques to help us think positively.

Many articles I’ve read focus on the power of practicing gratitude which I find really helpful. Since writing this article, I have also re-started to diarize daily at least one thing that makes me appreciate my life. You’ll be amazed at how good this can make you feel.

The more you feed your mind with positive thoughts, the more you attract great things into your life.

Having things to look forward to is also key to our happiness and well-being. Making plans for outings with family and friends, giving our home a facelift or taking a short break inspires us with hope and anticipation.

There is no rewind button to our lives, what we have is the here and now to make the most of.

HELPFUL WEBSITES
Walking Groups include Meet Up and The Ramblers
Free weekly Park Runs
Cycling UK has local groups
The Power of Positive Thinking - UK Counselling Network