Five tips for January blues

Whatever your age and situation, let’s face it a UK January tends to be a challenge, right?

Back to school, university or work and back to reality after all the fantasy, fun (and sometimes pressure) of the holiday season. The Sun’s holidaying in the other hemisphere, and you’re stuck here losing Vitamin D by the day.

For some families, even the family meal table is a challenge because of a condition affecting anyone in the family with an eating disorder. Eating Disorder service provider, Ellern Mede reports an upsurge in enquiries around this time of the year. Here are ten tips for families who may find themselves with that added challenge.

1. Make an appointment to see your GP.

If there’s the slightest suspicion that a family member has an eating disorder – for example, rapid weight loss or weight fluctuation that is either in a short time or lasts for three months, your first medical gateway to care is your GP. What will follow is a referral to an Eating Disorder Specialist Community professional. The earlier you seek help the better.

2. Get a great wholegrain breakfast every morning.

Wholegrain is the best way to start your day because it’s a slow-release energy source. Try rolled oats porridge with fresh blueberries and grated apple, whole wheat bread, fresh-squeezed orange juice. Whole milk only contains 4% fat, so it’s 96% fat-free and it’s a good source of calcium.

3. Make sure you all get a minimum of 8 hours of sleep every night.

Boost your circadian rhythm which is affected by the absence of sunlight during winter by ensuring you get the sleep your body and brain need.

4. Teenagers need to eat more every day than adults so eat 2,500 to 3,000 calories a day.

There’s a growth spurt in your teenage years which, along with the fact that your activity levels are likely to be high, requires more nutrition intake than adults. Make sure you are eating enough and regularly throughout the day.

5. Find ways to stimulate your body’s Vitamin D supply

1 in 5 UK residents have a lower than ideal level of Vitamin D because sunlight is the body’s prime source. Eat foods that contain Vitamin D or are fortified, take a supplement, and consider using a UV lamp.

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Created on Jan 14th 2020 07:50. Viewed 303 times.

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