January Blues and Strategies for Well-being
It is not the month that is the problem – but our attitude to it!
“You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending.” C.S. Lewis
January Blues and Strategies for Well-being
The festivities have wrapped up, and the new year has begun, but for many of us, January brings its own set of challenges. From post-holiday blues to the pressure of New Year’s resolutions, January can seem overwhelming. This can impact on our wellbeing and mental health. Media stories such as ‘January is the most depressing month’ and ‘Blue Monday’ add to the idea that there is no hope. However, developing strategies for self-care can help us to deal with our feelings and navigate January in a more effective way. Self-help strategies can become part of our daily life. Yet this is often the last thing on our minds.
Going back to the regular routine after the holiday season can feel dispiriting. Going back to work, or even continuing to look for work, especially with the dark and chilly weather, often leads to post-holiday blues. Making sure that we take care of ourselves is really important – and doesn’t have to be buying that subscription to the gym! Small things can make us feel better, such as taking short breaks during the day or engaging in activities that we enjoy. This could be reading, walking or doing gratitude journals. Try different things and find out what works for you. This can just be the difference that we need to feel better. Giving yourself time means that you are saying to yourself – you are important!
January can be financially taxing for many, with the aftermath of holiday expenses and the impending tax season. Financial strain can contribute to heightened stress levels and anxiety. Adopting self-care strategies like creating realistic budgets, setting financial goals, and seeking professional advice when needed can help you feel more in control and able to cope. Doing something is often the best strategy.
New Year’s Resolutions and Self-Reflection
New Year goals – seem like a good idea – 2 hours/days/weeks down the line they may seem a lot less like a good idea!! The pressure to set and achieve ambitious New Year’s resolutions can be overwhelming. New Year resolutions add to our sense of self-doubt and fear of failure. Developing ways to use self-reflection and self-awareness practices allows us to develop goals that are more centred around our wants and needs and are more realistic. The New Year doesn’t have to mean a New You. It just can feed into an ongoing self-awareness and self-development. . By identifying underlying beliefs and patterns, you can guide yourself towards more realistic and sustainable goals, promoting positive change and taking away unnecessary pressures.
One way of developing yourself can be undertaking a new course (Here comes the shameless plug – though it is also very true!)   There are a variety of courses available at Stamford and UCP this January. Our level 2 counselling course allows you to reflect and develop yourself. Our level 5 counselling Diploma could be a good way forward if you have done a level 3 counselling Certificate and want to take the next step. Whatever you choose to do and wherever you choose to do it we wish you a good New Year. The Counselling Course Team, UCP.
“Every morning brings new potential, but only if you make the most of it. You can’t do anything about the past, but you can do something about right now.” – Unknown
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