January might not be the most inspiring of months, but it's the perfect opportunity to recharge for the year ahead. Prioritising your wellbeing with some self care, whilst everything around you feels a little dormant, will make even the gloomiest of January days feel slightly brighter. We've rounded up some simple rituals to ease you through the first month of the year.

Journalling

Journaling is an accessible form of self-care that just about anyone can do, requiring little in terms of time, money or effort. It’s a private outlet to get your thoughts and pressures out of your head and onto the page, leaving you feeling less stressed, more self-aware and with a greater sense of wellbeing.

Scent

Scent not only triggers memory, but it also helps to regulate and inform our mood. Treating yourself to a new bath salt, body oil, or candle makes your home a little bit more luxurious and enjoyable to be in. Scents can elicit specific emotions and memories, and making you feel better. At Nathalie Bond we love the outdoors and are passionate about facilitating a range of products that help our customers bring the outdoors in as the outdoors is where we form some of our most fond memories.

Movement

There's no doubt about it – one of the best things you can do to elevate your mood is to get your body moving. Elevated stress hormones often plunge the nervous system into a 'fight or flight' emergency state, directly impacting brain function due to heightened cortisol levels. Through regular exercise (whether that be a brisk walk, swim or HIIT class) you can get the body mobilising, lower blood pressure and soothe the nervous system. This gives your brain a refresh, as well as an injection of energy to set you up for the day.

Instead of sitting inside with your morning coffee, fill up a reusable flask and take your drink with you whilst you go for a short walk. 

Vitamins

No matter how varied our diet or how often we get outside, our bodies could do with a little extra help in the colder and darker months. It is common for people to feel like winter is getting the better of them and to feel lower in energy and mood. Although no vitamin is a cure for this, it has been shown that a lack of certain vitamins can cause this to worsen. So, it is essential to make sure we are looking after our bodies, especially at this time of year. Vitamin D, known as the ‘sunshine vitamin’, is crucial to our health and wellbeing. Inevitably, during the winter, we see much less sun and are at risk of vitamin D deficiency. It is important to make sure our bodies are getting enough vitamin D, as many people have improved well-being and energy levels as a result; at this time of year, we may need a little more of this than usual.

Bath Time

If there was ever a month for a bath, it's January. But forget your standard soak; instead, turn it into a much more lavish affair – your body (and mind) will thank you. Mix a few drops of essential oil (see our very own collection here) with a teaspoon of milk and soak for 20 minutes in a warm bath. Inhaling essential oils stimulates the olfactory nerves, which travel to the brain and awaken happy hormones such as serotonin and dopamine. 

Digital Detox

Digital detoxing continues to grow as a wellness trend as more individuals seek respite from constant connectivity. Whether it's deleting a few apps or turning your phone off completely, a regular digital detox makes an excellent New Year's resolution. Time away from a screen can be used to practice being present, taking up a new craft, or getting outdoors – all of which are natural mood boosters.

Socialise

After the frenzy of Christmas socialising, we often feel like retreating into our homes in January. However, this can bring about feelings of loneliness and isolation, making the month feel much more bleak and uninspiring. Whether it’s going for a coffee with friends or spending time with your loved ones, engaging in social activity and increasing your communication with the people you trust can provide the support network you need if you find that your wellbeing deteriorates during the colder months.