Are you someone who doesn’t feel their best during the first few weeks or months of a new year?
Perhaps you struggle with the shorter daylight hours. Maybe you feel like you over-indulge over the festive period and need a bit of a physical and emotional reset period. You are not alone!
Find out why many of us get a little blue during a new year - and how escaping for some blue zone-inspired living can be the ultimate launch pad for 2024!
Why do we feel a little blue when we start anew?
There are several reasons why some people struggle emotionally in the first month or two of a new year:
☹️ Post-holiday blues
The holidays can be a stressful and emotionally demanding time of year. It’s a very busy time with lots of priorities that sometimes conflict with each other. There are a lot of expectations to be met and a lot of demands on our emotional reserves after a long year.
After the holiday period is over, some people may experience a sense of letdown and sadness, as well as feelings of anxiety and stress about the year ahead.
☹️ New Year's resolutions
Many people make New Year's resolutions to improve their lives in some way, such as losing weight, getting in shape, or eating healthier. However, these resolutions are often too unrealistic or ambitious and/or are assigned deadlines that are too aggressive - leading to disappointment if they are not achieved quickly.
☹️ Seasonal affective disorder (SAD)
SAD is a type of depression that is triggered by changes in the seasons, typically during the winter months when days are shorter and there is less sunlight. SAD can cause a number of symptoms, including low mood, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, and changes in sleep and appetite.
If this is you, here are some simple things you can do…
😊 Set realistic goals
If you are making New Year's resolutions, make sure they are achievable and measurable. Start small and gradually work your way up to bigger goals.
😊 Self-care
Make sure you are getting enough sleep, eating healthy foods, and exercising regularly. Exercise is a great way to reduce stress and improve your mood! Even a 10-minute walk each day can help refill your emotional bucket.
😊 Spend quality time with loved ones
Social support is important for everyone, but it can be especially helpful for people who are struggling emotionally. Make time to connect with the people you care about, even if it's just for a quick phone call, coffee date or family day.
What are blue zones and how can they inspire a brighter New Year?
The panacea might just be found with a period of blue zone-inspired living!
Blue ZonesⓇ founder, Dan Buettner, is a National Geographic Fellow and multiple New York Times bestselling author. Dan discovered five places in the world – dubbed blue zones – where people live the longest and are healthiest:
🔵 Ikaria, Greece;
🔵 Okinawa, Japan;
🔵 Sardinia, Italy;
🔵 Nicoya, Costa Rica;
🔵 Loma Linda, California.
All of these blue zone locations have been found to share 9 characteristics or principles AKA The Power 9®
- Move naturally. The people in the blue zones don't necessarily go to the gym or do structured workouts. Instead, they move their bodies throughout the day as part of their daily activities, such as walking, gardening, and doing chores.
- Purpose. People in the blue zones have a strong sense of purpose in life. They feel like they have a reason to get out of bed in the morning, and they are connected to their community.
- Downshift. They make time to relax and de-stress regularly. They do this through activities such as napping, spending time in nature, and spending time with loved ones.
- 80% rule. Residents of the blue zones eat until they are 80% full. This helps them to maintain a healthy weight and reduce their risk of chronic diseases.
- Plant slant. They tend to eat a largely plant-based diet. Their diets are rich in fruits, vegetables, beans, and whole grains.
- Wine at 5. The people in the blue zones consume moderate amounts of alcohol regularly, typically red wine.
- Right tribe. They have strong social connections. They are surrounded by people who support them and encourage them to live healthy lifestyles.
- Loved ones first. Blue zone residents put their families and loved ones first. They make time for the people they care about and support them through thick and thin.
- Belong. People in the blue zones have a strong sense of belonging to their community. They feel connected to the people around them and have a collective sense of purpose.
It’s easy to see how time spent in a location with these kinds of attributes could be the ultimate tonic for the New Year Blues. Many of their benefits tackle the common causes of this phenomenon and provide the optimal setting for a physical and emotional recharge.
Do you and your family need the ultimate cure for the New Year Blues?
Our January 2024 cohort will be an exploration of these qualities and an opportunity for your family to reset, recharge and connect in a location primed to stimulate rejuvenation and growth.
Join a ready-made community of families seeking to start 2024 in the best possible way with a healthy body and healthy mind. Our programming has been carefully curated to feature activities, events and experiences to ensure you will depart our island paradise feeling reborn and fully equipped to tackle the year ahead.
The highlights of our 3-month ‘recharge’ in Syros
Syros is the perfect setting for new beginnings. You can move with the slower rhythm of island life. Thrive in the fresh sea air. Absorb the picture-perfect sights in every direction. Overlaying all this is Boundless Life’s programme of activities, events and experiences to ignite your mind and rejuvenate your soul.
There are all our regular favourites like weekly hiking (led by our Experience Champion, John - who is a Syros local who is passionate to his core about his island home) and Mind & Body Wellness - plus some very special options unique to our January cohort to supercharge your new year:
⭐ A community-led range of workshops designed to foster personal growth
⭐ A family cooking experience inspired by Mediterranean healthy eating
⭐ An immersive winery experience
If you feel drawn in by the magnetic pull of Syros, don’t wait! Only a few spots remain for our January-March cohort. Book a webinar with us and start the new year like never before.
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