Out of all the months, January gets the worst press.

The Christmas comedown has kicked in. The temperatures have plummeted to mere single digits. The nights are dark and endless. And for some students, a lingering feeling of anxiety about the new term may have snuck in.

But what if we changed the narrative? What if we all vowed, right here, to seize this month with a glass-half-full attitude?

Yes, January isn’t the brightest, warmest or most sociable time of year. But there are small things you can do to make the best of it (believe it or not).

We’re leaving bound-to-fail New Year’s resolutions in 2025. Instead, we want to empower you to implement small changes to improve your wellbeing at a time and pace that feels achievable to you.

Here are some little changes you can make to support your own mental health this January.

Try movement that feels good to you

Exercise isn’t punishment. You should never force yourself into a high heart rate because you feel like you should.

Movement looks different for everyone. Some people prefer sweaty workouts. Others favour low-impact, more mindful exercise. What works for you may not work for someone else, and vice versa. That’s the beauty of movement; it’s personal.

Running TikTok and the ‘Pilates Princess’ aesthetic may be everywhere right now but don’t feel pressured to follow these trends if they don’t suit you. Instead, think about what you like. Maybe that’s cycling, walking, yoga, or hiking. Even an AirPod dance around your room is a great way of getting joyful, gentle exercise into your day.

Exercise should be something you do because you enjoy it; not a chore that you dread. Whatever form of movement feels good to you, stick with that.

Want to try exercise as a social thing? Join us in the Food Hall every Wednesday night and Sunday afternoon for our Manchester Road Runners event. Make new friends, smash those PBs and be part of the city’s thriving running community.

Embrace moments of stillness

This one is quite literally the opposite of our point above but no-less important. Sometimes, it can be hard to rest without feeling guilty. If you belong to that camp, try rewiring your brain to view rest as productive.

It’s impossible to run at full capacity all the time, especially during the winter months. If your body is telling you to slow down, don’t ignore it. Rest allows us to recharge, recover, and save energy to pour into the things that really matter to us. Finding pockets of peace within busy student life will allow you that crucial breathing space.

Our tip: spend 10 minutes of your morning in quiet solitude. This may look like reading, meditating, walking, or simply sitting.

Looking to explore somewhere a little quieter than the concrete jungle? Didsbury and Altrincham are the perfect spots to take a breather and fill your cup.

Switch to physical media

We all need a bed rot from time to time. But doomscrolling endlessly for hours every day is not doing our mental health any favours.

So why not try being more intentional with your time?

Switching up the physical media you consume is a small but impactful way to introduce healthier habits. Less screentime allows you to take back more control.

Try to replace phone time with something else that satisfies that thirsty dopamine craving. Why not pick up a book, do some seasonal crafting, bake cupcakes or give painting a go? Or if you really want to go back to basics, simply leave your phone in a different room. Removing the temptation helps remove the action.

Speak to your friends

A problem shared is a problem halved.

Talking about your feelings with friends is one of the best ways to alleviate emotional weight from your shoulders.

Whether you’re feeling a little blue or you have something more serious you want to talk about, lean on the people close to you. Friendship is all about lifting each other up, so please don’t be afraid to have a vulnerable and honest conversation with your peers. It will make you feel a lot lighter afterwards.

Likewise, if you’ve noticed that a friend seems a little down, a simple “how are you doing?” can make a huge difference.

Buy the brownie!

Harmful diet culture will tell you that “bad, unhealthy food” is strictly forbidden in January. We. Hate. That. Messaging. It can lead to an unhealthy and disordered relationship with food.

We’re here to remind you that life is all about moderation. You, like everyone else, deserve to enjoy nice things. Abolishing foods from your diet that bring you happiness is not a healthy or sustainable way to live. So, if you’re walking past one of Manchester’s many bakeries and delicious baked good catches your eye, buy it! Life’s too short to deprive yourself of the things you love.

Instead of cutting things out, redirect that energy into building better balance. If your algorithm is filled with “skinny is in” content right now, it may be time to question who you’re following or even reset your algorithm completely. Protect your peace by consuming content that uplifts you.

Don’t be afraid to ask for support

Sometimes, going for a run or turning your phone off isn’t enough to curb a bad mental health period. And that’s okay.

If you’re struggling with your mental health in a more serious way, or you feel like you’re in or entering a crisis, there’s no shame in asking for support. In fact, it’s a courageous act. Manchester has a lot of mental health and wellbeing support services that students can access. We’ve listed some below.

Support from your university

• The University Mental Health Advisers Network provides information about the support available for students with mental health conditions.

• University of Manchester – The university offers a free counselling service. You can book a first step appointment by emailing counselling.service@manchester.ac.uk. The university also offers a range of weekly workshops and peer-led courses, including Mindfulness Meditation, Managing Anxiety sessions, Breathwork, CBT courses.

• Manchester Metropolitan University – The university offers a free counselling service. To set up an initial assessment, email counselling@mmu.ac.uk. The university also offers a range of wellbeing workshops, courses and chaplaincy including the Anxiety Clinic, Emotional Regulation Clinic and ‘Only Human’ course.

Support from external organisations

• Student Minds is a UK-wide charity who offer a range of programmes including urgent support as well as wellbeing programmes.

• Young Minds offers helpful information to young people experiencing mental health issues.

• The Samaritans is a 24/7 telephone service that offers a platform for young people to confidentially talk to a mental health professional about how they’re feeling.

• The Mix delivers support to anyone under the age of 25 through their free, confidential counselling service and online community.

Your House of Social team

Remember, if you ever need to talk, our in-building residence team at House of Social is here for you.

Whether you need someone to connect you to the right services or simply listen, our team is trained in delivering mental health support.

Lean on us if you need us.