Back to uni or college and feeling down in the dumps after all the festive cheer? It’s understandable, especially with the cold and dreary weather! But we’ve got some great ideas to keep your spirits up during this time of year and hopefully help you beat the January blues…
Make a vision board
The first month of a new year is a great time to set some goals for yourself – whether they be academic related, to do with your health, travelling more or something else entirely. You can do this digitally using sites like Canva or even Photoshop if you know how to use it, or you can take this as an opportunity for some screen-free time and get your friends round with a stack of old magazines, a couple of glue sticks and some sheets of blank paper. Cut out words, phrases and images which relate to your goals and stick them to the page and voila: you have a 2026 vision board!
Start a new hobby
Do something fun to help curb the January blues – a new hobby could be just the thing. Whether you start reading for fun (rather than for your studies), start a new sport, learn how to play a new game, try your hand at baking… getting your mind off the gloom outside and expanding your skills is never a bad idea.
Embrace cosiness
While it’s cold and miserable, it’s much more tempting to stay inside and stay cosy – and so you should! Get your fluffiest pyjamas on, find a good series or film to watch, flick the fairy lights on and make yourself a hot chocolate. Get comfortable and stay warm, and have an early night! Improving your sleep schedule and getting into good bedtime habits will improve your mood for sure.
Go for crisp winter walks
On the other hand, fresh air also does wonders for the mood. Of a morning or between classes, try to get out and about for a nice walk – parks, canals, the quayside, they all look lovely if there’s a bit of winter sunshine and being outside is really good for the mind and soul. Plus it’ll tire you out a bit, so that early night will be much more likely…
Throw yourself into studying
There’s much less going on during the winter months, as most people do just want to stay in – so it’s totally okay to grab this opportunity to really get a head start with your studies for the year. Get all your deadlines written down, and plan out what you’ll need to do and when. Make flashcards, work on essays or assignments, read as much as you can; even watching documentaries related to your course will help you soak up more information while staying warm and cosy!
Get into journalling
Beating the January blues is also about reflection. Start a journal, and spend a few minutes before bed every night thinking about your day. List a few things you’re grateful for, some happy moments from the day, and some things you would change about the day too. This is a really healthy habit to form and one which can do wonders for your mental health.
If you’re feeling down and you think it’s more than just the January blues, be sure to talk to a friend, family member, or someone from your university or college! But hopefully these tips will help spread a little bit of happiness throughout January, too.
