It’s time to banish the blues and look ahead…

A new year brings resolutions and a sense of a fresh start and new beginnings. I’m sure like me you may have resolved to achieve a new and better you and to make changes to improve your general health and wellbeing.

This week saw what’s nationally known as “Blue Monday”.  Apparently evidence shows that it’s the day when we realise just how much we spent, or more often overspent, over the Christmas period. It’s also the day that most of us give up on those well-intentioned new year resolutions and, perhaps most disturbingly, it’s the day when many people feel most lonely, whatever their age and life situation.

The Samaritans, via the media, are encouraging us all to view Blue Monday as a day to be in the company of others and to have tea and a chat. Across the country independent cafes and coffee shops opened their doors to welcome customers to pop in and do just that. What a simple, yet effective idea.

It prompted me to think that while Wiltshire is blessed with local communities that include others, and offer support to those who are vulnerable - there is no doubt that we can all do more.

Loneliness can affect anyone, at any stage in their life, at school, college, work, or at home, or all of these. I’m sure like me, you’ve had occasion when you’ve just needed someone to talk to, and to listen, and just be there with that unconditional and non-judgemental support.

So this year (2019), I am resolving to try and do that bit extra for others - to offer support when I can see that it could help. After all it’s not really asking much is it? To give some time and have a cup of tea and a chat with someone who just needs some kindness and human interaction.

After all if we all resolved to do a little more for others it would go a long way to rekindling those core values that help communities to become strong and self-sufficient.

And, surely if by a small act – such as tea and a chat - we could reduce loneliness, which is known to be the biggest cause of mental ill-health and many other ill-health conditions, then that’s a great resolution for a new year!

May be if we all did this Blue Mondays or other blue days wouldn’t exist, or have a label. I’m sure Wiltshire will embrace “tea and a chat” and, do you know what - I feel better already having this chat via my first blog of 2019 – so here’s to a bright year ahead for all of us!