Request a Call Back

Full Name: *

Company Name:

Email Address:

Telephone: *

Best time for us to call you *

Comments



Callback

5 Reasons why planning a holiday can beat the Winter Blues

29/01/2016

Perk yourself up this winter with a trip – it will boost your mood and get your year off to a great start...



Lots of us find January and February the toughest months of the year. The buzz and excitement of Christmas is over, replaced with the pressure to set New Year resolutions – which, let’s be honest, often lead us into that negative trap of feeling that our lives (and therefore we) aren’t really good enough – and by this point, winter’s long, dark days are really taking their toll.

For some, this time of year can spell major depression and seasonal affective disorder (SAD), while for others, there’s simply an annoying seasonal dip in mood and motivation – but most of us experience a touch of the Winter Blues to some degree.

Planning a holiday can provide the perfect antidote (for those of us in the privileged position to be able to do so, of course). It won’t make all your woes disappear, but it could help take the edge off.

Here are five reasons why January and February is the ideal time to plan a holiday…

It gives you a project

Planning a holiday could be the ultimate positive distraction. From scouring websites and brochures to reading articles about dream destinations and chatting to friends and family about trips they’ve enjoyed, getting stuck into your holiday research can work wonders. Your feet may still be planted firmly in that January reality, but letting your mind drift away to sunnier climes – imagining all the things you could see/taste/explore on your trip – could work wonders for your mental wellbeing.

Happy hormones

Experts believe the lack of sunlight at this time of year is a major factor in SAD, which is why the condition is often called ‘winter depression’. Whether or not you suffer with full-blown SAD, it’s common to find the short, dark days a struggle. Sunlight boosts levels of serotonin – aka the ‘happy hormone’ – so there’s a scientific explanation for the fact many of us feel happier during summer. Plotting a sunshine getaway could put you on the fast-track to a natural high.

Make it a goal

Whether you see holidays as a chance to be adventurous and intrepid or opportunities to truly relax, unwind and do nothing but lounge and read for a week or two, there are so many rewards to be gained. Making a wish-list, and really taking the time to think about your dream holiday – and how you are going to make it happen – can be a real boost. It might be that you need to save up for a while, or do lots of prep and planning, but imagine the sense of achievement when that dream becomes a reality.

It encourages you to look ahead

If Winter Blues are really getting you down, it can seem as though you’re stuck in a miserable rut that will never change. But the old saying, ‘This too shall pass’, really is true, and no matter how much it seems like time is standing still, it really isn’t. Shifting your focus away from your immediate concerns and circumstances encourages a sense of looking to the future – where things look brighter.

It could help set good habits

It's easy to let our healthy eating regimes and sleep patterns slip as winter drags on, and the impact this can have on our mood and overall energy levels should not be underestimated. Add to that the fact many of us tend to be less active, and stay indoors more during the cold, dark months and it's no surprise that we feel sluggish and demotivated - which isn't going to help those January blues. Experts agree that positive motivation is key to enforcing good habits and pursuing goals. Having a holiday on the horizon to look forward to could be a powerful boost, making sticking to those healthy habits - and reaping the mood-lifting rewards - so much easier. 

 


This product is provided to Travel Insured by goodtogoinsurance.com who are appointed representatives of Ancile Insurance Group Ltd who are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority – no.471641 By clicking the box at the foot of this page, you will be taken to our dedicated travel insurance site provided by goodtogoinsurance.com where you will be able to get a travel insurance quotation and view full policy information. The quotation you will obtain is provided on a non advised basis which means that no advice is given or implied and you are solely responsible for deciding whether the policy is suitable for your needs. Contact us if in doubt or if you require advice.

This insurance would meet the demands and needs of someone who wishes to insure their trip away from their home for cancellation costs, medical expenses and other specific risks required for that trip according to their individual circumstances..


If you experience any problems when using the site, contact us on 0845 850 1066.

I have read and understood the above detail

click here to obtain an online quote

This product is provided to Travel Insured by Ancile Insurance Group Ltd who are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority - no.471641. By clicking the box at the foot of this page, you will be taken to our dedicated travel insurance site provided by Ancile Insurance Group Ltd where you will be able to get a travel insurance quotation and view full policy information. The quotation you will obtain is provided on a non advised basis which means that no advice is given or implied and you are solely responsible for deciding whether the policy is suitable for your needs. Contact us if in doubt or if you require advice.

This insurance would meet the demands and needs of someone who wishes to insure their trip away from their home for cancellation costs, medical expenses and other specific risks required for that trip according to their individual circumstances..

If you experience any problems when using the site, contact us on 0845 850 1066.

I have read and understood the above detail.

click here to obtain an online quote

This product is provided to Travel Insured by Ace European Group Ltd who are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority – no.202803. By clicking the box at the foot of this page, you will be taken to our dedicated business travel insurance site provided by Ace European Group Ltd where you will be able to get a travel insurance quotation and view full policy information. The quotation you will obtain is provided on a non advised basis which means that no advice is given or implied and you are solely responsible for deciding whether the policy is suitable for your needs. Contact us if in doubt or if you require advice.

This insurance would meet the demands and needs of a business which wishes to insure business trips away from the UK for cancellation costs, medical expenses and other specific risks required for that trip according to their individual circumstances..

If you experience any problems when using the site, contact
us on 0845 850 1066.

I have read and understood the above detail.

click here to obtain an online quote

Latest News

Travel Baggage Guide: Checked vs Carry-on.

With different airlines offering various options for carrying luggage, it is important to understand the pros and cons of both types of baggage.

Tips on becoming a more sustainable traveller

With travel, there are plenty of ways in which you can reduce your impact on the environment, whilst still being able to enjoy your holidays.

Five destinations for travelling on a budget 2023

A list of five budget destinations for travellers in 2023.

FAQs

Got a question? See our FAQs for our most often asked queries.

Cookies | Privacy | Terms of Business |  Modern Slavery Statement 2022

Green Insurance Group, Creed Associates, Collidge & Partners, Petherwicks and Travel Insured are trading names of Brown & Brown Insurance Brokers (UK Ltd) which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (Reference Number 745618)

Registered in England & Wales with number 09850559

Registered office: 7th Floor, Corn Exchange, 55 Mark Lane, London, EC3R 7NE