January is a month that is often associated with fresh starts and new beginnings. But for older adults in their retirement years, the cold and dark days can also lead to feelings of loneliness and melancholy. Fortunately, there are loads of ways to combat the January blues, from increasing social contact, to putting more time into physical activities.
Need a helping hand to get the spring back in your step? Here are some of the best ways to get over the January blues:
Tips to combat the winter blues:
- Stay on the move
- Redecorate your space
- Get plenty of social contact
- Take advantage of the sunshine
- Keep a healthy diet
- Find a new passion
Stay on the move
Suffering from a bad case of the January blues? One of the worst things you can do is stay still in the comfort of your home. Instead, get out and get active! Enjoying regular exercise is an easy way to hold off the January blues by keeping occupied and motivated. Better yet, exercise has been shown to help boost your mood by releasing serotonin and endorphins in your brain.
Redecorate your space
Winter can generally be a gloomy time of the year, but it doesn’t have to be. To start the year in a vibrant fashion, why not freshen up your surroundings? Introduce some new features that give you happiness, whether that’s fresh flowers, a decorative blanket, or a new scented candle. January is a period where you might find yourself inside a lot, so make your living environment as pleasant as possible!
Get plenty of social contact
January is a period where feelings of loneliness become more acute, and you might be tempted to stay cooped up away from the cold. However, ensuring you get enough social contact in retirement is vital. Staying connected to friends and family can help stave off feelings of loneliness and worse, depression. Keep in touch with your loved ones over the phone and in person, be open to making new connections, and keep an eye on new social events in your lodge.
Take advantage of the sunshine
There’s something naturally uplifting about basking in rays of sunshine. It’s a sign of hope, and also looks wonderful. Luckily, sunshine also has links to greater feelings of happiness, increasing your Vitamin D and serotonin levels (which helps to boost your mood). So let those blinds down, head outside, and embrace the sunshine. You might not see much sun in January, so take advantage of it while you can!
Keep a healthy diet
If you are someone who suffers from seasonal depression, consider a switch of diet. While comfort food loaded with carbohydrates is likely to put you into a bit of a slump, a healthy diet can give you the energy to power through the winter months. Make sure you have a balanced diet full of vitamins and nutrients, and you’ll be much less likely to succumb to the winter blues.
Find a new passion
In the midst of the cold, grey days of January, finding a new passion can ignite a fire in your belly and give you a more positive outlook on life. Whether you take up volunteering, or simply join a new hobby club based on something you enjoy, there are plenty of different options available. This is especially useful if you are struggling with feelings of loneliness, as you’ll often get to enjoy the company of like-minded people.
With a Churchill Retirement Development, you can overcome the January blues in style. From the comfort of your apartment, you can take advantage of a packed social calendar, delightful apartment spaces, and a welcoming community full of like-minded residents. Check out our property portal to find a glorious retirement apartment today.