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Beat the January Blues: 13 Wonderful Wellness Tips to Start the New Year Right
By Ellie Dharamraj - 5th January 2026
January can be a tough month for many. The festive cheer fades, the weather turns colder, and the days feel endlessly long. Known as the ‘January blues’, this post-holiday slump is a common experience for many, making it difficult to stay motivated and optimistic. If you're finding it hard to stick to resolutions or shake off the gloom, you're not alone. In this guide, we will explore why January feels so challenging and share 13 wonderful low-pressure wellness tips to help you feel brighter, more balanced, and ready to embrace the new year.
Is it normal to feel sad in January?
It is perfectly normal to feel a little blue when January rolls around. As this month is the very beginning of the New Year, it can feel like the month for transition; moving from the festive celebrations to a much cleaner, quieter, introspective time where many set themselves strict resolutions and rules. Common reasons to feel down during this month could include:
- The post-festive slump - once the excitement of Christmas dies down, January can feel much less fun-filled and celebratory
- Darker days and longer nights - with fewer daylight hours, your energy levels and moon can take a big dip
- Blue Monday - the third Monday in January is dubbed the ‘saddest day of the year’, thanks to a mix of financial strain, cold weather, and fading motivation
Reassuringly, these feelings are temporary, and there are plenty of ways to lift your spirits! By focusing on things like wellness, fitness, health foods, quiet hobbies, meditation, and other revered practices, you can naturally shift your negative pattern into a more grounded and optimistic outlook.
How can I overcome the January blues?
If you're knee-deep in blues this January, follow the 13 wonderful wellness tips we've put together to help make your first month of the year much more manageable:
1. Create a wellness routine
Tracking your moods and progress can help you stay grounded. A wellness jotter like this Blue Wildflower Self Care Daily Gratitude Journal is a really helpful piece to encourage you to jot down positive moments or small wins.
2. Stick to achievable resolutions
Instead of sweeping lifestyle changes, set small, realistic goals that build your confidence. Even one small habit (like drinking more water) can make a difference. This Personalised Cream Metal Water Bottle with Bamboo Top should help with that.
3. Add movement to your day
Regular exercise, even gentle activities like yoga or walking, can boost your mood and energy levels. This Daily Yoga Poses Desktop Flip Chart is a great aid to starting up a daily yoga routine.
4. Embrace Hygge
Lean into the Danish concept of “hygge” by creating cosy spaces at home. Think soft blankets, flickering candles, and your favourite mug. This Rosemary, Sage and Thyme Jar Candle is both cleansing and soothing, ideal for those long January days.
5. Prioritise self care
Invest time in yourself. Pamper with beauty products, run a warm bath, or set aside 30 minutes to relax with a book or meditation app. These Energise Himalayan Bath Salts are an inexpensive way to encourage some relaxation.
6. Treat yourself to some light therapy
It's an oldie but a goldie - getting outside in nature is the perfect natural and totally free mood-booster! If you're not able to, or you just don't feel like you've had enough, consider investing in a sunlight-mimicking SAD lamp. For something more natural, a Himalayan Rock Salt Lamp is ideal.
7. Stay connected
Reach out to friends and loved ones, as even a quick chat or coffee date can help combat loneliness. If you're not able to physically see some of them, why not lift both your spirits with an old-fashioned letter of love and support. You could even had a token gift like this Friend Tiny Matchbox Dried Flower Posy to share an extra little dose of love.
8. Add a little exercise
It can feel like working out and ‘getting fit’ are practices pummelled into us after the indulgent Christmas period is over, and while it's not always your weight or body you feel needs to be in shape, it's important to follow through with some exercise advice. A light daily walk or jog through some countryside can be so beneficial for both your physical and mental health, and if it's still bitterly cold out, consider donning a few layers to ensure you're protected from the cold. This Pink and Red Wavy Checkerboard Winter Scarf is bright, beautiful, and brilliant for keeping you cosy.
9. Eat for energy
It's been claimed for centuries, but eating healthily during winter or times when your body really needs some nourishment is a clinically proven way to feel happier, healthier, and more uplifted. Seeing food as fuel is ideal for ensuring your gifting your body with the nutrients it needs. This Stir Crazy Cookbook is full of simple yet satiating recipes to help kickstart your healthy diet this January.
10. Declutter your space
Even if you only organise one area of your home, tidying and decluttering is so good for calming your mind and getting you ready for what's next. Starting small is a great way to make sure you're not over facing yourself with tasks, and this Personalised Initial Large Glass Jewellery Box in Gold is ideal for ensuring all your smaller pieces are organised and ready for the new year ahead.
11. Practice gratitude
Making gratitude journaling a part of your daily routine - and not just for January, through the whole year - is the best way to ensure you're getting the most out of your 2026. This 52 Weeks of Positivity Wellness Journal is packed with weekly prompts to guide you through the year, taking the scary responsibility part out of this really uplifting routine.
12. Plan moments of joy
Having something special to look forward to like a holiday, an outdoor activity, or just a quiet coffee date can give you the dopamine boost you need to get you through the long, dark days of January. Try scheduling simple, joyful activities whether with someone special or on your own to ensure you're getting out and enjoying yourself as much as possible this winter.
13. Be kind to yourself
It's important to remember that life can be hard, and despite thinking you're on top of everything, you can feel lower than normal. This is fairly common for most, particularly at this time of the year, so taking the pressure off, steering clear of New Years resolutions, and just setting some gentle, achievable goals can be enough to ensure you're nailing life as best you can.
The January blues may feel inevitable, but with small, manageable changes, you can turn the month into a time of self-care and renewal. Explore our range of wellness journals, cosy homeware, and self-care essentials to make your January a little brighter, and 2026 will soon become your year to shine.
