It’s important you stay physically and mentally well to help prevent stress and reduce the risk of becoming unwell. Making YOU the centre of Jan-YOU-ary, will not only help you feel amazing, a healthy lifestyle can also prevent long-term diseases.

Here’s five things you can do to help your wellness this Jan-YOU-ary:

Move your body

Physical exercise is amazing for your wellbeing and has many benefits, including boosting your mood, relieving anxiety, and improving your health.

There are plenty of free workout videos for a range of different abilities on YouTube. If you prefer exercising in the great outdoors, why not download the couch to 5k app to help you get running?

Not digitally savvy? Don’t worry, going for a walk-in nature is just as good.

Manage your mood with food

Believe it or not, your diet and what you eat has a big impact on your mental and physical health! Here’s how you can manage your mood with food:

• Eat breakfast to get your day off to go a good start
• Try eating smaller portions of food more regularly throughout the day
• Try to avoid foods that make your blood sugar levels rise and fall rapidly, like sweets, biscuits and sugary drinks
• Remember to stay hydrated with water, as not drinking enough can mean you find it difficult to concentrate or think clearly
• Try to eat your 5-a-day everyday by eating a range of fresh, frozen, tinned or dried fruit

Different diets suit different people, so however you choose to make healthy changes to your diet this Jan-YOU-ary, try and find something that works for you.

Look after your mind

Did you know that by doing ‘brain-training’ activities regularly, they can help to improve your memory, reaction time, logic skills. It can also slow down the ageing of your brain!

Take a look at the list below to see if you’re already doing some of these activities, or think about how you could incorporate some of them into your free time:

• Have fun with a jigsaw puzzle – Putting together parts of a jigsaw to fit a larger picture can be great way to challenge and exercise your brain
• Try your hand at cards – Researchers say regular quick card game can lead to greater brain strength
• Building on your vocabulary – Writing down new words you come across, and trying to use them within sentences is a great way to stimulate your brain
• Get grooving – Not many people know that dancing, and memorising new dance moves can improve your brain’s processing speed and memory, so grab a partner and hit the dance floor (your kitchen will do too!)
• Learn a new language – According to numerous studies, people who can speak more than one language contributes to them having better memory, as well as higher levels of creativity. Download duolingo from the app store and try learning one today!
• Learn a new skill – By learning to play a new instrument, or taking up painting as a hobby, you can help to improve your memory function, as well as strengthen the connections in your brain.

Why not see if you can train your brain this Jan-YOU-ary to improve your wellbeing!

Manage your money

Feeling worried or concerned about your finances can have a really big impact on your wellbeing. This Jan-YOU-ary, we are here to support you to take control of your finances.

1. Check for any extra money you might be owed

If you are on a low income or currently employed, you may be entitled to extra help and support. From help with childcare costs to tax relief, support is available if you need it. Visit https://www.gov.uk/benefits-calculators to find out what you’re eligible for.

2. Start a budget

Writing down what you earn and what you spend is a really great way of keeping on top of your finances – you might even find ways that you can save a little money too. There’s lots of easy ways to budget, you could use an app on your phone like Emma or Money Dashboard, you could use an online tool like this, or you could do it the old-fashioned way with a pen and paper.

Whichever way you want to budget, it’s a good idea to prepare by gathering together your receipts, bills, and information on other expenses you might have.

3. Try and make your money go further

One way to make your money go a little further is to cut back on expenses.

Things like utility bills and insurance can all add up if your contract changes without you realising. It’s always a good idea to stay up to date and switch provider when you need to. Why not use an online comparison service to check where you could be saving some money?

For more helpful information to help you feel in control of your finances this January visit Money matters – ForHousing

Staying connected

Did you know that people who engage in social activities tend to live longer and have a sense of purpose? Why not try local community pages for activities in your area, reach out to family or friends or make an effort to stop and speak to people when you’re out and about? All great ways to help you feel connected and improve your mood.

For more information on how you can stay well this Winter follow us on social media by searching ‘ForHousing’ for regular tips and tricks.