5 indulgent ways to beat the January blues

Every year I think that the winter is going to bring crisp sunny days, blue skies and plenty of knitwear. In reality, those days seem to be few and far between – the grey drizzle seems interminable and my knitwear means I spend a good half of the year smelling like a wet Labrador.

Not one to be easily defeated however, I have a few solutions up my sleeve from my experiences as editor of Spabreaks.com, that never fail to keep the winter blues at bay…

Product: coconut oil

It was a bit of a toss up as to whether this fell into the category of favourite product or food, but as someone who suffers from chronically dry skin and hair, Tiana coconut oil is all about feel-good factor, particularly for the winter months.

For anyone who hasn’t tried it, it is surprisingly absorbent and not at all greasy which I suspect will come as a surprise to most. Aside from its serious moisturizing properties I am absolutely in love with the smell – it’s subtle and reminiscent of holidays in the sun, which is pretty much all I think about in the winter.

Food: porridge (with bells and whistles)

If in doubt, eat. That seems to be my winter motto, but while a large bar of dark chocolate is the inevitable go-to, I think there are few things that can instantly make you feel better or worse about the world than what you eat. For me, breakfast is a non-negotiable part of the day. In fact, it may well be the only reason I get out of bed in the morning.

Right now it’s all about porridge made with almond milk and sprinkled with linseeds, honey, raisins, grated ginger and a little of that all-important coconut oil. It’s clean, energy-boosting, warming, and packed with happy thoughts. Combine with a mug of hot water and lemon and you’re ready to face the day the healthy way.

Spa: Sofitel So SPA

Sometimes feel-good factor has to come in the form of indulgence, and a particular favourite is an afternoon spent having a treatment at Sofitel So SPA in London. Located practically next door to St James’s Palace, the former bank makes you feel expensive the second you walk in (I speak as someone who turned up once in wellies and 15 layers of knitwear having traipsed through the snow to get there).

This isn’t about gyms and pools and working out, this is the place to have a 90-minute treatment and read a glossy magazine with a cup of herbal tea (or glass of champagne – whatever floats your boat).

Activity: surfing

At heart, I am a girl who likes being outdoors, particularly when it comes to exercise. Running in the brisk morning air (or grey drizzle), walking the dog on the beach – these are things that are absolute heaven to me. So this year I decided to have surfing lessons because it looked fun and combines my passion for being both outdoors and by (or in) the sea. I am utterly useless at this activity, but that and the cold water has done nothing to assuage my enjoyment of it.

For anyone wanting to combine a lesson with post wind-battered spa treatments, I would recommend making a weekend of it at Fistral Beach Hotel and Spa in Newquay. Do say ‘hi’ to instructor Sarah at the Quiksilver Surf School if you go – she’s the one who will be making you feel like less of a plonker as you nose dive into the water time and again and is living testament of the happy powers of sand, sea and surfing.

At home: a good book

Absolutely nothing in the world beats a good book for mental wellbeing and (if all else fails) a little escapism. I am not ashamed to disappear into a little easy reading and chick lit if the moment calls for it, although recent favourites have included Graham Simsion’s beautiful book, The Rosie Project, and Daphne Sheldrick’s An African Love Story about her life of conservation and looking after orphan elephants in Kenya. That’s a recipe for happiness that is.