One of the top recommendations for beating the January blues is to book a holiday. But that’s easier said than done in the middle of a cost of living crisis with airlines still understaffed post-pandemic, workers striking and the likelihood of your luggage making it to your final destination at about 1000 to 1. So the answer is obvious really… staycation!
And, perhaps unsurprisingly, we think the best possible place for a staycation in the UK is Exmoor. So, because we know how tough January can be (dark, cold, broke-post-Christmas, out-of-shape-post-Christmas, possibly-not-even-drinking (!) and 31 days long…) we have come up with 10 ways to help you beat the January blues into oblivion… on Exmoor!
1. Fresh air
Stepping outside for some fresh air (whatever the weather) is one of the easiest ways to alter your mood. It’s clinically proven to help with anxiety and depression… which is exactly what tends to creep in when we have the January blues, isn’t it? And if you suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder, being outside in natural daylight hours will really help.
Now, arguably, you could do this anywhere but, we swear, there’s magic in the air here… Vast expanses of nature and woodlands, much lower levels of pollution than in most of the rest of the country and, crucially, sea air. We recommend heading up to Hurlstone Point for maximum ocean-infused oxygen. (More info on this here in our Bossington and Allerford village guide.) There is just nothing quite like a lungful of crisp, salty, fresh air along the Exmoor coast. It’s soul-cleansing stuff.
2. Exercise
This might sound obvious, and you’re probably thinking, “well, I don’t need a staycation to exercise”, or maybe even “I don’t want to exercise on a staycation”, but on Exmoor it’s not just any old exercise. There are myriad phenomenally beautiful and brilliant places to walk and run on Exmoor. Through the incredible Valley of the Rocks, along the South West Coast Path, across a plethora of beautiful beaches… These are the kind of places that make you want to go out in the bracing cold, or run that extra mile, so you can keep feasting on the insane views.
All mental health experts say that even just short walks will improve your mental alertness, your energy levels and boost positivity. So, walking or running in the natural glory of Exmoor is bound to help with the January blues!
And if you prefer a class, there are plenty of lovely places to practise yoga on Exmoor. Weekly classes are held at:
- Moorland Hall (Wheddon Cross)
- Wooton Courtney Village Hall
- Winsford Village Hall
- Roadwater Village Hall and
- Watchet Bowling Club.
You can also arrange private classes with the amazing Manjula or join Nina for an Outdoor Walking Workout! And for cardio/workout classes try Sweatbox Studio in Lynton.
(Lynton is great, btw. Possibly the coolest place on Exmoor. Read more about it here.)
3. Practise mindfulness
I personally think that Exmoor is a really special place to meditate. It doesn’t have to be a formal cross-legged, closed-eyes meditation if that isn’t for you. It could be eyes open, focussing your attention on the sounds & colours of the waterfall at Watersmeet. Or, just finding stillness for a while on Porlock beach… But however you choose to practise, mindfulness can be a powerful tool to beat the January blues.
It can help you to find the beauty in things, to be grateful for what you have, to identify feelings, to address them or let go of them, and to find calm & inner peace. Just the physical act of regulating your breath can slow your heart rate and help you to calm down, which is especially useful if you are feeling anxious or panicky.
For mindfulness events or in-person guided meditations on Exmoor, check out the Exmoor Wellbeing Centre (@exmoorwellbeing) or Giulianna Wheater who runs specialist classes for individuals or pairs. There’s also an amazing looking gong bath & sound meditation event for deep healing & relaxation happening at Dunster Tithe Barn on Wednesday 18th January – click here for more information if you’ll be on Exmoor then.
If you would like to practise alone we recommend the Waking Up app. Several of us at The Best of Exmoor are completely hooked on it because it’s got so much to offer. I also enjoy Balance for some more simple, soothing meditations. Both apps have guided walking meditations which would be perfect for doing out in Exmoor National Park too.
4. Connect with nature
Sometimes, when it’s all super noisy in your head, or your life feels so busy with all the things you have to do and all the people in it, it’s really beneficial to connect to the natural world. After all, we’re all just animals! There’s no better place in the UK for this than Exmoor. First and foremost-famously, you’ve got the wild ponies. Roaming wild and free out on the moors, they inspire great peace in us, and remind us to go our own way. For more information see the Exmoor Pony Society.
Of course, you also have the sea! Which means there’s porpoises, seals and even dolphins to be spotted! The Somerset Wildlife trust regularly do “Sea Watch” events. There is one event charmingly called Porpoises & Poetry in which they encourage you to bring a notebook or sketchpad and do some writing or drawing if you should feel so inspired. It would certainly be a different way to spend your Sunday.
5. Eat well
You are what you eat. So during this bleak, cold time of year when we have the January blues – eat warm, delicious, nutritious food! There are loads of amazing restaurants, cafés, pubs & food joints across Exmoor. See the full range on our Places To Eat page. But to save you screentime & scrolling, we will also recommend you a few of our favourites…
And this year, the Exmoor Food Festival, normally just on in February, starts in the last week of January! So you don’t have long to wait before there’s an amazing array of extra culinary delights for you to dig into across Exmoor.
6. Curl up with a good book
I think we put a lot of pressure on ourselves in January to be really active and productive, having taken time off over Christmas & New Year. But it’s not easy to change gears like that and, during the cold winter months especially, it’s important that we listen to our bodies and our minds and respond to our needs… even when we have a lot of work to do. And actually, you’re far more likely to work well and feel like being active if you have listened to your body and paid attention to your mind. So if what you think you really need is rest, then you should take it!
Reading gives us a place to go when we have to stay where we are. So why not curl up with a good book by the fire and escape from the world? Many of our beautiful cottages have lovely fireplaces just perfect for it… Here are a few glowing examples.
Or search all cottages with fireplaces here.
7. Digital detox
I don’t know about you but, in the last few weeks, my screen-time has gone through the roof. I like to keep in touch with my friends and collate my memories with photos on Instagram and I know social media can be helpful sometimes too… But absent-mindedly scrolling brings absolutely nothing to my life, and yet, I do it far too often. So, I’m resolving to be really intentional with how I use my phone, and for a few hours a day, or maybe even a whole weekend if I can, I’m going to put it in a drawer and ignore it completely! Why not give it a go when you’ve got exceptional Exmoor to engage you instead? I really think you’ll find it eases the January blues…
8. Help banish the January blues for someone else!
It may be that you’ve now planned a whole trip and are taking them to Exmoor! In which case – you’re done. Or, maybe, you’re on your own. I think travelling solo is one the single best gifts you can give yourself. And, during this “new-year-new-you” time, it can be really good to get some space and allow for reflection and introspection. But, if you don’t want it to feel like you’re cutting yourself off from the world completely, and you have other people you care about who may be struggling through January too, why not send someone a postcard?!
The postal strikes are over (woohoo!) and who doesn’t love receiving something personal in the post? It will light up someone’s morning when they’re shuffling through the bills and junk mail to see that you took the time to write to them, and were thinking of them on beautiful Exmoor. And, whether you want it to or not, doing something for someone else will almost undoubtedly make you feel better too. It’s definitely recommended in Sarah Knight’s brilliant self-help book on anxiety.
9. Fill your soul with culture
The January blues can crush inspiration. But if you are feeling uninspired, don’t berate yourself for that, you simply need to refill the well inside your soul with culture and arts that can provide inspiration. Julia Cameron, author of The Artist’s Way says “Filling the well involves the active pursuit of images to refresh our artistic reservoirs.”
Across Exmoor there is a wonderful amount of culture to be absorbed. Be it with an amazing concert or some beautiful storytelling at the Regal Theatre in Minehead, with stunning works of art in a treasure trove gallery such as Maurice Bishop‘s in Lynmouth or with a fantastic film at Lynton Cinema, you are sure to find yourself moved, entertained and inspired if you take in some culture on Exmoor.
10. Be kind to yourself
Our final recommendation is: be kind to yourself. It’s easier said than done, but following any one of these suggestions would be doing just that. Booking a trip to Exmoor would be doing just that. So, go on that staycation, let yourself sleep as long as you want, have a really long hot bath with bubbles and candles and music, say yes to chocolate or a glass of wine, and surround yourself with people who lift you up and environments that soothe your soul. By doing so, you’ll undoubtedly feel better. And the following week, maybe work… and the weather… and life… will all feel a little easier.
Now want to book somewhere to stay?
Check out our collection of charming cottages below…
Wondering where exactly you want to be?
Check out our guides below to find the best place for you!
