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Top Tips To Help You Get Over The Winter Blues

Matt Crisp December 19, 2019

Whether you start to feel the effects of shorter days by mid-November, or it takes you until after the festive season for your winter blues to kick in, you’ll no doubt be looking for ways to perk yourself up and make yourself feel better as we move into 2020.

A recent article for Vogue pointed out that the NHS estimates that one in 15 people in the UK suffers from some form of seasonal affective disorder (SAD). The publication also offered some advice on how you can tackle your low mood.

One of the tips is to take a vitamin D supplement. This is normally created in our bodies following exposure to the sun. Of course, at this time of the year even when the sun’s out we’re not likely to be lounging in a bikini, so it can be hard for your body to produce enough of the vitamin.

Eating a healthy diet is also essential if you want to stave off the winter blues. Some of the other advice is to spend time outdoors. Simply going for a walk and getting a bit of natural light will boost your mood, the publication stated.

“As well as encouraging the body to boost production of vitamin D, you’ll also reap the rewards of nature, which studies have shown can reduce stress, anxiety and high blood pressure,” the magazine asserted.

Exercise is another thing that can help you to feel better at this time of the year if you’re suffering from SAD. So why not combine the two? Get outdoors and do some exercise!

An article for Real Homes recently picked out some of the best winter walks around the UK, so these could be a great starting point for a day out or even a full weekend away. If there are a few of you who are itching to get outdoors, arrange luxury minibus hire in Birmingham so you can travel in style.

If you’re after a hike that will blow away the cobwebs, heading to Botallack Mine in Cornwall is an excellent choice. This coastal walk certainly has dramatic scenery, with rugged cliffs and the ruins of the mine clinging to the edge of the coast.

Poldark fans will recognise the setting, but even if you’ve never watched the TV show you won’t fail to be blown away by the views. Enjoy a bracing walk along the coast path before retreating to one of the nearby cafes to warm up and refuel.

Another coastal destination that’s just as beautiful in winter as it is in summer is Ilfracombe in Devon. Without the hordes of tourists who descend on the town in the warmer months, some may even feel it’s more beautiful.

The best walk to get your blood pumping here is the hike up Ilfracombe Torrs, a path that was carved into the hillsides back in Victorian times.

If you don’t fancy travelling that far south, you could instead head to the wild and wonderful Carding Mill Valley in Shropshire. You’ll often find a sprinkling of snow on the hills here and there are several routes you can follow in the valley.

Keep your eyes peeled for all kinds of wildlife, including ravens and buzzards, as well as the wild ponies.

Or you could travel further north still to Cumbria, where Sticklebarn and the Langdales offer some stunning scenery and bracing winter walks.

If you’re not used to fell walking, the two-mile route in the Langdale Valley is ideal as you can get out into the rugged scenery without going too far into the wild. As you hike, you’ll be rewarded with wonderful views of Lingmoor and Pike of Blisco.

Of course, you might decide that just getting out and about in the UK isn’t enough to keep your spirits up as we move into January. If that’s the case, it’s certainly worth considering where you could travel to for some winter sun.

Forbes recently highlighted some of the best winter music festivals happening around the world, and there are plenty going on in warm and sunny spots. For example, Tulum in Mexico is set to host Project Sound from 4 to 6 January.

The club that’s hosting the music festival is set in the jungle just outside Tulum, so it’s a stunning spot to dance the night away in. You’re also pretty much guaranteed sunshine and warmth, so it’s a great pick for early January.

Another place that’s renowned for its sunshine and beautiful beaches is Hawaii, and from 14 to 17 February, Oahu will be hosting the E Komo Mai festival. As well as music, the event is about helping people get to know the island, so expect plenty of other things to be going on.

You’ll also have Hawaii’s stunning scenery to explore when you’re not dancing to the likes of DJ Dan, Kill Frenzy or Doc Martin, making this an excellent all-round choice if you want to get a holiday in your diary for the new year.

Another option if you’re not bothered about going to a festival is Dubai, according to The Sun. The newspaper recently pointed out why the Emirate is such a good choice if you’re after some winter warmth.

Of course, being located in the heart of a desert means that it’s never going to be cold, and the chances of rain are slim, so at least you know you’re onto a winner with the weather. In January, it experiences high temperatures of 24 degrees C, which is pleasant and not overly hot.

Treat yourself to a little luxury with a stay in one of the city’s many luxury hotels. The ones on the famous Palm are particularly high end. Make sure you also book tickets to go to the top of the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa.

You can also shop in Dubai’s old souk for a more traditional Arabian experience, and if you’re escaping as a couple then an evening dinner cruise is the perfect way to spend a romantic few hours.

There’s plenty in Dubai for families too. Spending a day or two at the beach will certainly keep the kids happy. You can’t beat the spectacle of the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo at the Dubai Mall, so make sure you plan a bit of time to explore these attractions with the youngsters.

Going on a desert tour is a great option if you’re keen to get out of the city for a few hours. It’s also incredible to see the landscape that surrounds Dubai – think rolling sand dunes that can only be accessed by 4×4 or on camel.

Meanwhile, Travel Daily News International recently revealed that Brits are looking at more long-haul destinations when seeking a winter sun escape. It shared the findings of the 2019/20 Winter Sun Trends report from On the Beach.

Although Spain and Portugal take the first and second spots respectively in the list, Egypt is in at number three, with Mexico, Thailand and Cape Verde also making the top ten.

Other destinations that Brits are booking up include Turkey, Malta, Cyprus and Morocco, the news provider revealed.

Marketing director at the firm Alan Harding commented: “British holidaymakers are always looking for new and exciting destinations to visit, and our research shows a growing demand for long-haul holidays, with Thailand and Mexico leading the way.”

In the list of top long-haul destinations, the USA and South Africa joined Thailand, Mexico and Cape Verde in the top five, the website added. All of these spots offer sunshine and warm temperatures, alongside their many other attractions.

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