Health & Wellbeing Activity Ideas

Health and wellness tips and ideas to help overcome the January blues. Sponsored by Wellness Warriors Yoga Studio

January comes with its struggles for most people. The Christmas hype has disappeared, you’re regretting those few extra pigs-in-blankets and the weather is pretty bleak too. On the other hand, January is also full of hope and excitement with a brand-new year ahead.

It can be very easy to fall into the negativity that January may bring, especially with the media brainwashing you to think this way. However, shifting your outlook into a positive light can have huge benefits to your mental health.

January 16th is Blue Monday which is considered to be the most depressing day of the year but we want to make ‘Blue Monday’ something positive by highlighting our blue Ocean City instead. Appreciating nature and the landscape will help lift those blue thoughts and clear your head.

With the world becoming so fast-paced, it’s easy to get caught up in the rush. Taking some time out of your day to do something that truly relaxes you will make you more level-headed. Whether that is a midday walk on your lunch break or lighting a candle and having a bubble bath, anything that takes your mind off a current stress is good. After you have taken a break, you can tackle the issue with a calmer mindset.

Getting into a cold shower or dipping into the sea when it’s calm is proven to have significant health benefits. Not only is it great for your blood circulation, it also enables you to completely forget about whatever is on your mind as you deal with the plunge temperatures. The goal during every dip is to control your breathing which should be possible in less than a minute after the initial shock has passed. Having a cold-water shower or dip a few times a week will make the affects of the cold water less extreme as your body acclimatises. Immersion in cold water can be life-threatening so ease yourself in gradually and focus on calming down your breathing. Always bring someone with you if you are planning on going into wild waters.

Taking care of your physical health has huge benefits to your mental well-being. Starting a new fitness regime, taking up a new hobby or challenging yourself physically will not only allow you to maintain a healthy weight and improve your cardiovascular health but it also improves your brain health too. There are hundreds of sports classes and gyms in and around Plymouth to suit everybody’s requirements.

Marjon Sport & Health Centre is a fantastic hub of activities with state-of-the-art facilities including a gym, swimming pool, climbing wall, sports hall and much more. You can find out more about Marjon and their classes timetable within this magazine.

Your fitness journey is only half complete if you are slacking with your diet. The word ‘diet’ is perceived very negatively as many people start their diet off strong and then old habits start to sneak their way back in. Instead of calling it a ‘diet’, think about the small changes you can make to your existing diet and make the changes slowly. It’s important to have the

right amount of protein and carbohydrates in addition to exercise. Depending on your BMI and the amount of exercise you do will determine how much protein and carbohydrates you should be eating.

It has been proven that ‘people who consumed a diet rich in fruits and vegetables reported a more positive psychological state and were less likely to have symptoms of depression, stress, and anxiety compared to those who do not eat these nutrient-rich foods as regularly.’

Mindfulness activities such as yoga and pilates are brilliant exercises to practice daily to ease stress and keep your body moving. Wellness Warrior Yoga Studios, located in Modbury offers a huge range of yoga activities from beginners and hot yoga, to Stand-up paddle board and beach yoga. Each class is designed to increase your mobility, gradually strengthen your muscles and allow you to connect with yourself through breathing exercises. You will come away from each class feeling like a weight has been lifted.

Classes run every week but keep an eye on the timetable on the website for any changes. Booking is simple, just head to their website www.wellnesswarriorsyogastudio.co.uk and click ‘Book a class’.

Spa retreats don’t come cheap however, giving your body a chance to fully switch off will do wonders for body and mind. Treating yourself to a massage or a spa session, or even just getting a manicure are brilliant options to indulge in a positive way.

We talk a lot about managing negative thoughts and emotions but less about changing the very thing that’s giving you these emotions. There are lots of helpful apps and helplines you can access which can find the route of the problem and help you overcome it. It may be that you need a change of career or a new circle of friends, whatever it is, there are lots of ways to find out what’s causing it.

If you need to speak to someone, call Samaritans on 116 123