Former Love Island star and mental health advocate Dr Alex George has issued a stark warning about the potential downsides of intense January health resolutions, labelling the common 'new year, new me' mindset as potentially "detrimental".
The Problem with January Overhauls
The 34-year-old doctor, who found fame on the 2018 series of Love Island and later served as the UK's Youth Mental Health Ambassador, argues that the pressure to completely reinvent oneself in January often leads to self-criticism rather than sustainable progress. He encourages people to build positively upon the previous year instead of attempting a drastic overhaul.
"I have always felt that the kind of new year, new me thing is not helpful," Dr Alex told The Mirror. He supports the intention behind building better health but cautioned that many use the turn of the year as a time to "beat themselves up" and then "chastise themselves" when plans falter. This cycle, he insists, can be damaging to one's mental wellbeing.
Embracing January with a Positive Mindset
To combat the so-called January blues, Dr Alex champions a shift in perspective. He recommends embracing the winter weather rather than complaining about it. A key part of his own routine is a daily morning walk, taken in almost all conditions, which he credits with significantly benefiting his mental health.
"If you kind of go into it and say that January is a terrible time of year, the weather's awful all the time, it creates that feeling of negativity," he explained. His approach involves accepting the shorter, colder days while actively seeking out positive aspects, framing his daily walk as a non-negotiable act of self-care.
Launching the 'Tea Leave' Initiative on Blue Monday
Dr Alex is putting his advice into action by fronting a new campaign launched to coincide with Blue Monday, the name given to the third Monday in January often cited as the year's most difficult day. He has partnered with mobile network Three UK and the charity Samaritans for the 'Tea Leave' initiative.
The campaign urges Brits to take a dedicated 30-minute wellbeing break during their working day to reconnect with loved ones over a cup of tea. Dr Alex highlighted the modern trend of people spending more time indoors, exacerbated by hybrid working, and the decline of proper tea breaks since the pandemic.
"I think it's brilliant... it's an opportunity to use that day to turn it into something positive," he said of the campaign. He suggests using the time to step outside or make a phone call to a friend or family member, countering isolation and fostering connection.
While acknowledging that Blue Monday itself is something of a myth, as people can struggle on any day, he sees it as a valuable prompt to prioritise mental wellbeing and human connection during a challenging month.
