HOW TO BEAT THE JANUARY BLUES | 2019

Unfortunately, while the first dewy days of January are filled with promise and steadfast determination, the remainder of the month is often a struggle for a few reasons.

The Christmas shopping bank-drain really takes its toll pre-payday. Here are some helpful tips on how to keep the momentum going.

Boost your mood with vitamin D
Besides exposure to sunlight, we can top up our intake of vitamin D by including specific foods into our diet. Fortified breakfast cereals and dairy, eggs and fish such as sardines, herrings and salmon are all good sources. Plus, along with improving your mood, topping up on vitamin D can help strengthen the immune system and keep bones and teeth healthy.

Get enough Omega-3
Good for the heart and also good for the mind – low levels of omega-3 in the body are thought to contribute to low moods. Include oily fish, walnuts, flaxseeds, pumpkin seeds, soya, rapeseed and flaxseed oil and dark, green leafy vegetables such as spinach and kale into your diet.

Keep exercising
The novelty of your new gym regime is probably wearing off by now. Exercise releases the happy hormone serotonin and, as well as being important for health, regular exercise will boost the positive results of all your healthy eating efforts – so keep going!

Reassess your goals
If you've stuck fast to your new year plan, then introducing a new challenge could give you the boost you need. If, like many, you've slipped a few times during the month, maybe you've set your sights too high. Whatever stage you're at, reminding yourself of your goals and making sure they're realistic will only help you keep up the good work.