Red January - Active Every Day to Beat the January Blues

Let’s face it, January can feel a bit meh and is a tough month for many… This year, I beat the January blues by taking part in Red January!

Red January is a community initiative which aims to support mental health through exercise by prompting participants (aka REDers) to do something active everyday in January. This initiative was ran in association with the mental health charity Mind. If you want to support this great charity you can donate here as they work to ensure that no one has to go through mental health alone.

Exercise has been proven to have a positive impact not only on your physical well-being (reduced risk of disease, healthier organs and bones, better sleep and more energy) but exercise is also great for your mental health as it helps reduce anxiety, reduce stress and leaves you better able to think clearer.

I came across Red January on Twitter and signed up straight away and managed to help encourage a few friends to do the same and start the year on a positive note. It was completely free to sign up to but you also had the option to purchase a t-shirt and red laces to replace those in your trainers. After ordering mine it came within a few days and I wore them proud to the gym and at Parkrun.

I liked the idea of this initiative because it encouraged REDers to do any exercise(s) they like doing - anything from swimming to walking plus there was no pressure as to how long or short you need to exercise.

I decided to sign up because I wanted to start the year as I mean to go on, and one of my goals is to continue to establish healthier habits and exercising in some form daily and mix up my routine because towards of 2018 I focused mainly on running (which I love but it’s good to add in some strength training too).

During January, I stayed active by doing a mixture of walking, running, some strength training sessions (with hubby) and also by attending body pump classes (aka therapy according to my class instructor!).

I’ve completed the Red January challenge and I’m pleased to say I am definitely feeling good and will continue to exercise daily! Well done to all the fellow REDers who took part!

Did you take part in Red January? Do you have any fitness challenges coming up? Let me know in the comments.

Thanks for stopping by!

Krista x