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Acorn Health Blog

What we love is great health...

...and we like to write about how we can all achieve better health, naturally. Sometimes tips on how you can DIY to better health and sometimes on the therapies that can make a difference to you, your health and wellbeing.
Thank you for reading, We hope you enjoy :)

Wintering: Why January Isn’t the Time to Push Yourself

General Health & Wellbeing, Therapies Posted by JadwigaPosted on Fri, January 02, 2026 10:50AM

by Sarah Wallace

Feeling the pressure to be a “new you” this New Year? It’s everywhere, isn’t it? The cliches flood in: “New year, new me,” crash diets, eating salads when it’s freezing, or trying to smash out a workout plan like 75 Hard when you’re knackered after Christmas. Sound familiar?

I heard about something called “wintering” the other day, and it really hit home. Wintering is about leaning into the quieter, slower pace of this time of year. Instead of forcing yourself to sprint into January, it’s recognising that resting is just as important as doing. It’s about giving yourself permission to slow down, reflect, and recharge.

And honestly, is it any wonder people feel rubbish in January? We’ve just had a busy, often stressful festive season, and now we’re told we should be doing MORE. Eating less, moving more, achieving all the goals – when all your body probably wants is a cosy blanket, a good cuppa, and a nap. 

Yes, you can still eat healthier if that feels important to you, but maybe swap the cold salads for warm veg and hearty chicken soups. It’s all about finding what feels right for you and the season you’re in.

So instead of trying to do 75 Hard (or even Medium or Soft), why not think about what you actually need right now? Maybe that’s resting, eating comfort food, or saying no to things that drain you. The world will still turn if you take it slow.

If January has you feeling overwhelmed, I’m here to help you figure it out. You don’t have to do it all, and you certainly don’t have to do it alone.

find out more about working with Sarah

#Wintering #Bolsover #Chesterfield #Heanor #Counselling #Counsellor #JanuaryStruggles #SelfCareNotCliches #MentalHealthMatters



Do we need new year resolutions?

General Health & Wellbeing Posted by JadwigaPosted on Thu, December 28, 2023 10:59AM

by Dr Ranjana Mitra

And just like that, it’s 2024!

So we start another year with new hopes and dreams. For many this transition from the old to the new will be a much welcome one. If 2023 hasn’t been very kind to us, we are happy to put it to bed and start afresh; for others, it is a time to consolidate the gains from the previous year or look forward to exciting times – perhaps the birth of a baby, a promotion at work, or the start of a new relationship.

Wherever we are on the spectrum of endings and renewals, many of us seem to get caught up in the need to make resolutions for the year ahead. These are often things to which we have given a lot of thought/things we believe we have failed at/ things we believe will make our lives better and brighter. There is no shortage of ideas, with January being marked as the month for veganism (Veganuary), dry month, walk your dog month, festival of sleep, national hug day, national pie day….(I’m sure more ideas are being dreamt up as you read this!).  Do we need annual ‘markers’ to drink less, eat more vegetables, walk more? I would say not. Most of us set ourselves goals throughout the year – whether that be to lose weight, pay off our credit card bills sooner, or make more time to see family/friends. If we manage to achieve our goals it will not be because they were new year (or mid-July!) resolutions, but because we really believed in how much they matter to us. When we really want something, it is possible to carve out the time and energy to pursue it; and overcome the inevitable hurdles everyday life throws at us. 

So, if you don’t have a resolution for the new year, don’t worry. You will get around to making one when you are ready. More interestingly, you may find yourself energetically pursuing a goal at some point during the year, without recalling the day when you ‘resolved’ to do so. We are constantly achieving a lot more than we give ourselves credit for. Getting through everyday life without throwing in the towel is a huge achievement for many of us. For starters – working parents with young children – I take my hat off to you!

All of that said, there’s one thing we are pretty rubbish at. And that’s care and compassion for ourselves. Most of us are better at caring for others than we are at caring for ourselves. Indeed, the latter can feel a bit self-indulgent. But remember we can only be of service to others when we are firing on all cylinders. It’s perfectly okay to let a few balls drop, without being consumed by guilt. Let’s all take the time to look after our mental health. Our relationships with ourselves underpins every other relationship we have/will have in life; and will determine what we are able to pursue and achieve and enjoy in life.

With warm wishes for a year of caring and compassion – for your self!

Ranjana

Contact me for help with any relationship related issues.