Monday January 15th is meant to be Blue Monday, whatever the hell that means. Are we all skint, fat and feeling down at how dark and cold it is? Or is this just another marketing ploy like Black Friday and Cyber Monday to get you to buy shit you don’t need and feel bad about yourself and your life when there’s nothing actually wrong?
I actually love January. I’m a sucker for a fresh start and love setting goals.
I’m feeling motivated, inspired and excited to kickstart a new year and make this one my best yet – but I’m lucky because I know what I want this year and have set some goals to achieve it (still haven’t written about my 2018 goals have I. Bad Tess).
And OK, I might also be a little bit skint and a little bit fat but I’m not sad at the cold dark mornings and shorter days. I love winter training.
Here’s how you can beat the January blues and stick two fingers up to Blue Monday:
Release your inner child
The first time I went trampolining wasn’t until I was 30 years old and quite frankly that was 25 years too late. If you’re looking for basically the most fun you’ll ever have as an adult, find a trampoline park, borrow / take your own child or another fully grown human being and JUMP AROUND.
It’s the BEST freedom, you’ll get an awesome workout, and leave sweaty, invigorated and full of beans for the rest of the day.
Watch the video above and read my post here about when I went to a trampoline fitness class with This Girl Can.
Get outside
Especially if the weather’s wet and wild. There’s no better way to feel alive than to get battered from all angles by the elements. To have your breath taken away by both the scenery and the gale force winds that snatch the air from your lungs.
Everyone loves a crisp winter’s day but don’t be afraid to get out for a walk, run or ride when it’s stormy. Moments like that make the food and warmth that follows all the more welcome.
Read about when we walked the Quiraing on the Isle of Skye in 50mph winds.
Get on your bike
I honestly believe cycling should be prescribed by doctors to improve mental wellbeing. In fact, all types of exercise, any way of moving your body.
But cycling in particular – I don’t think I’ve been happiest ever as when I’m riding my bike.
There are a few rules in life:
If it’s sunny, don your shades and ride your bike.
If it’s raining, put your waterproofs on and ride your bike.
If it’s cold, wet, windy, and you can’t see more than two feet ahead of you – grab some mates, find the South Downs or similar trails and ride your mountain bike.
Mountain biking doesn’t care about the January blues.
My first ever mountain bike ride was on a wet, grey, miserable winter’s day, adventuring with a bunch of other lunatics across the South Downs Way from Brighton to Eastbourne. It was absolutely epic and you can read about that here.
Read more of my mtb-shaped adventures below if you’re looking for inspiration to get on your bike this winter:
? Mountain biking the South Downs Way
? Mountain biking on Skye – a highland adventure
? Coed y Brenin Women’s Weekend
? Surrey Hills mountain biking with Marmalade MTB
? A birthday bike ride on the South Downs Way
If road cycling is your thing don’t let the winter put you off cycling to work. Remember there’s no such thing as bad weather – just the wrong kit!
If you’re female and need help getting confident on the roads, find your nearest Breeze ride.
Get to the gym
If you really can’t bear to get outside you don’t have to – take refuge in the gym and join the other nutters lifting heavy things and feasting on endorphins at 6am on cold dark mornings 🙂
Book a PT to make yourself work harder and bust out your best gym face to show him it’s working.
(I’m working with Brighton PT Pete Dudley twice a week at the moment and loving the results – will blog this ASAP so stay tuned!)
Take some time out
You can’t always be on the go – sometimes it’s nice to snatch an hour or two just for you and no one else. Make a date with the mat and get to a yoga class – I say this every time I write about it but I 100% need to make more time for yoga and meditation.
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| This beautiful space is Studio iO in Brighton – the city’s most amazing place to practice. |
It’s so easy to get caught up in the day to day rat race that it seems we don’t have time to switch off but really – we do – we just have to make time.
Take your ‘me time’ one step further and try floatation if you really want to reset and recharge.
Read about my first ever floatation.
Read 10 things I’ve learnt about yoga.
Remember – don’t get caught up in feeling however popular culture is telling you to. Take ownership of your January and the rest of your 2018 – set some goals, take steps towards some dreams and go get what you want.
The January blues is a trap – don’t fall for it!
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How do you beat the January/winter blues?
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