Hey everyone and welcome back to the Understandable English Podcast.
Because it is the beginning of 2024 in January.
I want to talk about a relevant, so an up-to-date or an important topic at this time of year.
That topic is called the January Blues and I will explain what this means in a moment.
But first, I hope that you and your family or friends had a great winter holiday.
Whether you celebrated Christmas or Hanukkah or any celebrations over winter, I hope you had an amazing time.
Before we start the main topic of our podcast, I would like to tell you that I now have a YouTube channel.
I will put the link in the description of the podcast.
The name of the YouTube channel is Understandable English Pod.
If you search on YouTube, understandable English podcast, it should come up.
So what I am doing on this channel is I am uploading each podcast episode, including all of the old episodes with subtitles.
These are English subtitles and it will allow you to read what I am saying as I say it.
And when you don't know a word, you can pause the video and look up the word that I just said.
This is completely free for you and available on my YouTube channel for everyone.
And I will continue uploading one of these every few days.
So check it out at Understandable English Pod or Understandable English Podcast on YouTube.
Okay, so back to the main topic.
We're going to talk about a topic that many of us can relate to and that is the January blues.
So January is the first season of the year, the first month of the year.
And it is when the holiday season ends and we embrace the new year.
So it's quite common to feel a little bit down or a little bit sad.
But don't worry.
In this episode we are going to explore what the January Blues are and look at some practical tips as to how we can feel better at the start of the year in this winter season.
Well, what exactly are the January Blues?
Well, after all of these holidays and festive events celebrations, presents and really fun times, we return back to our routine, back to our jobs, our lives.
And real life is a little bit more boring than holidays.
Another big reason for the January or winter blues is that the days are shorter and darker, so there is less sunlight in most places.
Unless you live in Australia or somewhere very south.
I'm guessing you have quite dark days at this time of year.
And this can make you feel more tired and a little bit down or sad.
But don't worry, so many people feel like this in winter.
I also feel like this a lot in January.
So, especially when I'm back at work and the mornings are so dark, I find it really hard to get up early in the morning for work.
I have to and sometimes I have to travel places, but it is so much harder in January and in winter in general.
So one great way to help fight the January blues, or to help overcome the January blues that means to beat or to win against is to embrace natural light.
To get as much natural light as you can, take advantage of any sunny days by spending some time outdoors.
Open your curtains and let light in whenever it is there, and also try to get a small walk at least during the time when the sun is out.
Natural sunlight really helps for mood and energy levels.
But I know this is easier to say than actually do.
Because most of the time when the sun is out in winter we are at school or work or university and we don't get to spend much time outside.
But in reality, to get the right amount of sunlight we only need to spend about 10 minutes to 15 minutes outside in the sun.
This can be on a break at lunchtime, anytime you have a 10 to 15 minute break.
Another really important way that you can beat the January blues is to plan something exciting.
At the beginning of a new year, it is a great time to start thinking about the future and about the rest of the year.
Maybe you want to plan your holiday for the summertime.
Maybe you want to start a new hobby or activity.
It's such a good time to do so, especially if it's an indoor activity or hobby which doesn't require good weather outside.
So another way I think is great to overcome the January blues is to stay active.
Often a lot of people will start the gym or exercise in January to try and get fit for the new year.
But in reality, any kind of exercise is great for your mood.
For me, I like to go to the gym two or three times per week.
And this really helps my mental health and helps me to feel better in winter.
When we exercise, our body or your body releases endorphins.
These are feel-good hormones, chemicals that your body produces.
And they help you to feel good.
You don't have to exercise to get these chemicals.
You can get it by doing other activities that you enjoy too.
This can be reading, maybe puzzles or games, or just learning something new.
And finally, in my opinion, one of the best ways to feel better in winter is to connect with others.
Humans and people in general are social creatures.
We need to share experiences and spend time with others.
Often I thought in the past that I like to spend most of my time on my own.
But I realized that when I do this all the time, I start to feel quite bad.
I don't feel my best version of myself.
But in winter, people tend to spend more time inside and on their own.
They might meet their friends less.
So it's important to try to do the opposite.
Reach out or contact friends and family, even if it is a virtual chat.
Sharing our experiences and some laughter together can really help to improve your mood in the wintertime.
So, in conclusion to today's episode, I really, really hope that as we navigate or move through the difficulties of winter, so January and February, now that you remember you are not alone.
The January blues are temporary.
They aren't forever.
And with a bit of self-care and some positive action you can beat them and make it into the spring with a great attitude and mood.
And even if you're listening to this podcast at any time of the year, I think that these tips are a great way to start feeling better.
Always remember to keep practicing your English and to listen to these podcasts.
It should hopefully help your winter too.
Don't forget to check out the YouTube channel and subscribe there for more episodes with subtitles.
I hope you have a wonderful day.
I will talk to you soon.
Goodbye.
