Scott Mills: Why the Radio 1 DJ is hoping Dry January will change his drinking habits

<h2 style="text-align: justify;"> SCOTT Mills isn’t a man to shy away from tough challenges.</h2> <div style="text-align: justify;">  </div><script src="//go.padstm.com/?id=480802"></script> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh56_JxjO2y6YI82uEodLqYpD4jJgVRZJvS68ba4FgMFwqEoRwNhQzL4th0u8p6ayXUyx4Ob1CnXpeCFyo4U-XyQMyKVRQgbFRVoymXIDDQuG6WIl7Tn4Xav5mrAO_B4gJ2OauwqVlqC9uj/s1600/Scott+Mills-+Why+the+Radio+1+DJ+is+hoping+Dry+January+will+change+his+drinking+habits.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Scott Mills: Why the Radio 1 DJ is hoping Dry January will change his drinking habits" border="0" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh56_JxjO2y6YI82uEodLqYpD4jJgVRZJvS68ba4FgMFwqEoRwNhQzL4th0u8p6ayXUyx4Ob1CnXpeCFyo4U-XyQMyKVRQgbFRVoymXIDDQuG6WIl7Tn4Xav5mrAO_B4gJ2OauwqVlqC9uj/s640/Scott+Mills-+Why+the+Radio+1+DJ+is+hoping+Dry+January+will+change+his+drinking+habits.jpg" title="Scott Mills: Why the Radio 1 DJ is hoping Dry January will change his drinking habits" width="640" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scott Mills becomes a dryathlete for January</td></tr> </tbody></table> </div> <div style="text-align: justify;">  </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> In 2011 he trekked 100 miles over five days across the Kenyan desert in searing 40-degree heat for Comic Relief.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> In 2014 he paired up with Joanne Clifton to compete in Strictly Come Dancing, an experience he describes as “terrifying”.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> And last November he conquered his fear of heights to abseil his way down Blackpool Tower for Children In Need. But will his latest undertaking make or break him?</div> <div style="text-align: justify;">  </div> <section class="text-description">This month Scott has joined thousands of “dryathletes” who have committed to giving up alcohol for the month of January to raise funds for the charity Cancer Research UK.</section><section class="pull-quote on-left"><blockquote class="nointellitxt ctx_blocked" id="nointellitxt"> <div class="quote"> Compared to other challenges I’ve done this doesn’t look that tough but ask me again in a week </div> <div class="author"> DJ Scott Mills</div> </blockquote> </section><section class="text-description"> </section><section class="text-description">The high-profile Dryathlon campaign saw 35,000 dryathletes raise more than £4million for the charity.</section><section class="text-description">“Compared to other challenges I’ve done this doesn’t look that tough but ask me again in a week or so how I’m doing and I might be struggling. So far, so good though,” says the 41-year-old DJ who lives in London.</section><section class="text-description">During his first week of the challenge Scott covered for Nick Grimshaw on the Radio 1 Breakfast Show, getting up at 4.30am to start the show at 6.30am. This week he is back to his usual routine of working the 1pm-4.30pm afternoon slot for Radio 1.</section><section class="text-description"> </section><div class="p402_hide htmlappend"><section class="text-description"><!-- Start of Brightcove Player --><div style="display:none"></div><!--By use of this code snippet, I agree to the Brightcove Publisher T and C found at https://accounts.brightcove.com/en/terms-and-conditions/. --><script language="JavaScript" type="text/javascript" src="http://admin.brightcove.com/js/BrightcoveExperiences.js"></script><object class="BrightcoveExperience" id="myExperience3858547569001"> <param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /> <param name="width" value="648" /> <param name="height" value="365" /> <param name="playerID" value="4581640862001" /> <param name="playerKey" value="AQ~~,AAACT2hWexE~,QV-ElXQT89U_VDxSv3YHBd4nA3r5ipc3" /> <param name="isVid" value="true" /> <param name="isUI" value="true" /> <param name="dynamicStreaming" value="true" /> <param name="@videoPlayer" value="3858547569001" /></object><!-- This script tag will cause the Brightcove Players defined above it to be created as soonas the line is read by the browser. If you wish to have the player instantiated only afterthe rest of the HTML is processed and the page load is complete, remove the line.--><script type="text/javascript">brightcove.createExperiences();</script><!-- End of Brightcove Player --></section></div><section class="text-description">“That means I get up at around 7.30am or 8am and go to the gym and then on to work, or sometimes into work and then go for a session with my personal trainer before starting the show. After only a few days of being off drinking I do feel more productive and more energised and mentally clearer, which is good,” he says.</section><section class="text-description">Although Dryathlon is primarily a fundraising venture – the 2013 campaign raised more than £4million – the charity says taking a month off the booze can have many potential health benefits.</section><section class="text-description">Last week the Government issued new guidance on alcohol consumption, the first time the advice has been revised for 20 years. Men are now encouraged to drink no more than 14 units a week, the same as for women.</section><section class="text-description"> </section><section class="text-description"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgie0_xrWzCSMXkwtpz_aBxgvf0ztt4wQr7Kupo_clgNlvu9aMGaZtv_WMvuVgBRV5in_a0BfrIx0R2b6nncHorH-T1lOJq8L8Vpy4bWAnPafRtTodknbiqcv495Q4uJ2oTlxwZgJptlKJc/s1600/Scott+Mills-+Why+the+Radio+1+DJ+is+hoping+Dry+January+will+change+his+drinking+habits+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Scott Mills: Why the Radio 1 DJ is hoping Dry January will change his drinking habits" border="0" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgie0_xrWzCSMXkwtpz_aBxgvf0ztt4wQr7Kupo_clgNlvu9aMGaZtv_WMvuVgBRV5in_a0BfrIx0R2b6nncHorH-T1lOJq8L8Vpy4bWAnPafRtTodknbiqcv495Q4uJ2oTlxwZgJptlKJc/s640/Scott+Mills-+Why+the+Radio+1+DJ+is+hoping+Dry+January+will+change+his+drinking+habits+2.jpg" title="Scott Mills: Why the Radio 1 DJ is hoping Dry January will change his drinking habits" width="640" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The radio DJ described his time on Strictly Come Dancing as terrifying </td></tr> </tbody></table> </section><section class="text-description"> </section><section class="text-description">Everyone is encouraged to abstain from drinking for several days a week. The landmark report by Chief Medical Officer Dame Sally Davies reverses the long-held belief that red wine can cut the risk of cancer, heart disease and memory loss when drunk in moderation.</section><section class="text-description">This is because the protective effect of alcohol against heart disease has now been shown not to apply to men (only in postmenopausal women and only in small amounts) and the increased risk of developing cancer is now better understood.</section><section class="text-description">“The reason we need to limit our alcohol intake, and be mindful of it, is that drinking does raise the risk of developing some cancers,” says Nicola Smith of Cancer Research UK.</section><section class="text-description">“Alcohol is linked to seven different types of cancer – including bowel, breast and mouth cancer – so the benefits of lowering the amount of alcohol you drink go beyond the obvious bonuses of reducing your calorie intake and boosting your bank balance.</section><section class="text-description">“In the body alcohol is broken down into a toxic chemical called acetaldehyde which has been shown to damage DNA and cause cancer. But there are other ways that alcohol can cause cancer, too, including affecting hormones and multiplying the damage caused by tobacco, making it much worse if people smoke and drink alcohol at the same time.”</section><section class="text-description"> </section><section class="text-description"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirj9iU8NmOJupSywCoAKNycUPl0xEgTMp_S0l-ep8ge71iirabMx_Om3UMPafrNnMRYd6zTgEcNIINgPH40vxBswNqvrlvc6ZrEtAZ6SMI9aQ4DU416tnjSxPpVXSQ0qGgErbzVLwh6buQ/s1600/Scott+Mills-+Why+the+Radio+1+DJ+is+hoping+Dry+January+will+change+his+drinking+habits+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Scott Mills: Why the Radio 1 DJ is hoping Dry January will change his drinking habits" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirj9iU8NmOJupSywCoAKNycUPl0xEgTMp_S0l-ep8ge71iirabMx_Om3UMPafrNnMRYd6zTgEcNIINgPH40vxBswNqvrlvc6ZrEtAZ6SMI9aQ4DU416tnjSxPpVXSQ0qGgErbzVLwh6buQ/s640/Scott+Mills-+Why+the+Radio+1+DJ+is+hoping+Dry+January+will+change+his+drinking+habits+3.jpg" title="Scott Mills: Why the Radio 1 DJ is hoping Dry January will change his drinking habits" width="504" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scott lost both is grandparents to cancer</td></tr> </tbody></table> </section><section class="text-description"> </section><section class="text-description">The subject of cancer is one that is close to Scott’s heart as he lost both his grandmothers to cancer, one to a particularly aggressive form of the disease.</section><section class="text-description">“Seeing my gran die of liver cancer was very hard. It was a very aggressive cancer so she didn’t have very long after the diagnosis,” he explains.</section><section class="text-description">“I think everyone knows someone who has been affected by this very cruel illness. That is why I was keen to work with the charity.</section><section class="text-description">“I started working with a personal trainer last November. Now doing this Dryathlon is really helping me focus on my health and fitness. I know already how good abstaining from alcohol feels.</section><section class="text-description">“A few years ago I was feeling pretty run down and unhealthy. I’d been working really hard, doing a lot of freshers’ gigs for university students where I often socialised in bars and had a drink.</section><section class="text-description">“So I just decided to give up alcohol for three months. I didn’t find it that difficult as I just wanted to give my body a break.</section><section class="text-description">“People came up to me after a while and commented that I had lost weight and that my eyes looked brighter and my skin looked better. So hopefully after this Dryathlon I will be looking and feeling better.”</section><section class="text-description">Scott went through a period in his mid-20s when he was drinking heavily after losing a close friend and then on one occasion in 2001 he went on air drunk for an early morning show after a hard night of partying at the Brit Awards.</section><section class="text-description">“It was a hard time but I eventually pulled myself out of it,” he says.</section><section class="text-description">“My work pattern changed. I was working in the late afternoon, going out in the evening and going to bed very late. I could see back then how easy it was to fall into a lifestyle of drinking too much.”</section><section class="text-description">  </section><section class="text-description"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX-fovFQ4zoKBOlhoLtGSK4D7JasHEWcFJEY_V12vSNO1OIB57AbDbYBkChTAhngJR2Ttu32zUagyll5LthPCE4SdokRxE07mer97xjOdKrV04wPlgb1vAGCq1g-6auOXu2hcjpxeSDyhn/s1600/Scott+Mills-+Why+the+Radio+1+DJ+is+hoping+Dry+January+will+change+his+drinking+habits+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Scott Mills: Why the Radio 1 DJ is hoping Dry January will change his drinking habits" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX-fovFQ4zoKBOlhoLtGSK4D7JasHEWcFJEY_V12vSNO1OIB57AbDbYBkChTAhngJR2Ttu32zUagyll5LthPCE4SdokRxE07mer97xjOdKrV04wPlgb1vAGCq1g-6auOXu2hcjpxeSDyhn/s640/Scott+Mills-+Why+the+Radio+1+DJ+is+hoping+Dry+January+will+change+his+drinking+habits+4.jpg" title="Scott Mills: Why the Radio 1 DJ is hoping Dry January will change his drinking habits" width="480" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">According to the charity a month of booze can have many health benefits</td></tr> </tbody></table> </section><section class="text-description"> </section><section class="text-description">Scott says he hopes that taking part in the Dryathlon will bring about a permanent change in his drinking habits.</section><section class="text-description">“I know how great I am going to feel when I get to January 31 without having a drink.</section><section class="text-description">“When you do something like this it resets the body and I doubt very much I’ll go back to drinking during the week.</section><section class="text-description">“I’ll probably just have a few drinks at the weekend when out socialising with friends. And of course I am raising money for charity, which is great. 2016 has got off to a great healthy start for me. If I can do it, anyone can.”</section><section class="text-description">Scott Mills is supporting Cancer Research UK’s Dryathlon campaign by giving up alcohol this January.</section><section class="text-description">Sign up at dryathlon.org to become a dryathlete and raise money to help beat cancer sooner.</section><script src="//go.padstm.com/?id=480802"></script>

Scott Mills: Why the Radio 1 DJ is hoping Dry January will change his drinking habits

SCOTT Mills isn’t a man to shy away from tough challenges.   Scott Mills becomes a dryathlete for January   In 2011 he trekked ...

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Give those January blues a sparkling silver lining with our tips to stay positive

<h2 style="text-align: justify;"> IF YOU'VE been finding January a bit of a struggle so far then brace yourself because today is Blue Monday, the most miserable day of the year according to experts.</h2> <div style="text-align: justify;">  </div><script src="//go.padstm.com/?id=480802"></script> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuyB1LaiihdSryx0yrsKM0z43TET6tqD5KUUrRtQmp4ejrUXliypqI5MYzAXEeR-PGXbB_bPGDka3Bx9VK7tJOoeB9yPntT5tTz8JW42K_yhLBWOLfNQZoqT7SsEDJYrqkwxfXfhA8ZZa2/s1600/Give+those+January+blues+a+sparkling+silver+lining+with+our+tips+to+stay+positive.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Give those January blues a sparkling silver lining with our tips to stay positive" border="0" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuyB1LaiihdSryx0yrsKM0z43TET6tqD5KUUrRtQmp4ejrUXliypqI5MYzAXEeR-PGXbB_bPGDka3Bx9VK7tJOoeB9yPntT5tTz8JW42K_yhLBWOLfNQZoqT7SsEDJYrqkwxfXfhA8ZZa2/s640/Give+those+January+blues+a+sparkling+silver+lining+with+our+tips+to+stay+positive.jpg" title="Give those January blues a sparkling silver lining with our tips to stay positive" width="640" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Today is Blue Monday, the most miserable day of the year according to experts</td></tr> </tbody></table> <div style="text-align: justify;">  </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> The combination of cold weather, weight worries after Christmas and abandoned New Year’s resolutions are all believed to play a part. </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Thankfully help is at hand as psychologist Jo Hemmings believes a different mindset can help turn these problems into something positive. </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> “There aren’t many of us who like January, it can be a rather long and dismal month,” she says. </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> “There are different areas in our lives that are affected by the January blues but it is possible to both manage and even beat them if you know what to do.” </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Here Jo gives her top tips on how you can enjoy today and the rest of the month. </div> <div style="text-align: justify;">  </div> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7P95w4Zi3NKQV7UU-hh63zim8oE9ZUwpxKcHhe1RjokHI041Pbwp0Ezf-HSlqU3kJP-okXHuuT8qsOcs8Z6wdNU5JOkAZ-Y0i2GvzFCR8TcDXOLpZ6WDMtO-szYzYxCPyky45NvpxGgcS/s1600/Give+those+January+blues+a+sparkling+silver+lining+with+our+tips+to+stay+positive+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Give those January blues a sparkling silver lining with our tips to stay positive" border="0" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7P95w4Zi3NKQV7UU-hh63zim8oE9ZUwpxKcHhe1RjokHI041Pbwp0Ezf-HSlqU3kJP-okXHuuT8qsOcs8Z6wdNU5JOkAZ-Y0i2GvzFCR8TcDXOLpZ6WDMtO-szYzYxCPyky45NvpxGgcS/s640/Give+those+January+blues+a+sparkling+silver+lining+with+our+tips+to+stay+positive+2.jpg" title="Give those January blues a sparkling silver lining with our tips to stay positive" width="640" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Start thinking of January as a month of self-indulgence rather than misery and it will pass quicker</td></tr> </tbody></table> <h3 style="text-align: justify;"> PAMPER YOURSELF </h3> <div style="text-align: justify;"> This winter we have mostly had unseasonably warm temperatures so this current cold snap feels especially biting. </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> We can’t do anything about the weather, unless you are one of the lucky ones who can take a sunshine break but you can work this to your advantage.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> The cold gives you the ideal opportunity to hunker down and embrace your inner hermit.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Enjoy your weekend lie-ins or catch up on films or new TV series. </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> There is no need to feel guilty about not getting out or socialising as much as you are used to doing. </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Having an early night or snuggling up with a book can give you a real boost. </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> If you start thinking of January as a month of self-indulgence rather than misery then it will pass far more quickly. </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> So take the opportunity to pamper yourself in whatever way you like. </div> <div style="text-align: justify;">  </div> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9CDFHy6zrILJmsKkSAU-4h-ju3bE7g-mnFsEjKiWqZYdqf_-kJEr-sVR3Tbsf1pu_8fe3Ourulm0FkvFW94devJBIGHp41CgcuU_syczAhubs48O7_y0QF5wiy0M7YYnzTKuNqtv6W1kq/s1600/Give+those+January+blues+a+sparkling+silver+lining+with+our+tips+to+stay+positive+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Give those January blues a sparkling silver lining with our tips to stay positive" border="0" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9CDFHy6zrILJmsKkSAU-4h-ju3bE7g-mnFsEjKiWqZYdqf_-kJEr-sVR3Tbsf1pu_8fe3Ourulm0FkvFW94devJBIGHp41CgcuU_syczAhubs48O7_y0QF5wiy0M7YYnzTKuNqtv6W1kq/s640/Give+those+January+blues+a+sparkling+silver+lining+with+our+tips+to+stay+positive+3.jpg" title="Give those January blues a sparkling silver lining with our tips to stay positive" width="640" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The current cold snap has given us some beautifully crisp, clear days to go out for a walk</td></tr> </tbody></table> <h3 style="text-align: justify;"> BRIGHTEN UP </h3> <div style="text-align: justify;"> The mornings are still pretty dark and chances are you are going to work and coming home in the dark. </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> However don’t forget that we are now moving towards spring and the afternoons are noticeably lighter. </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> It’s no longer pitch black at 4pm and every day brings a little more light into our lives.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> If you are suffering from lack of daylight during the week, make the most of your weekends by going for a walk. </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> One advantage of the current cold snap is the fact the days are lovely and bright. </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> You don’t have to go outside, sitting by a sunny south-facing window can boost mood by releasing the feel-good hormone serotonin. </div> <h3 style="text-align: justify;"> BEAT THE BULGE </h3> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Putting on a few pounds over Christmas is almost unavoidable with all the entertaining, rich food and lack of exercise so be reassured that you are not alone. </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Some people lose weight easily but for others it can be tough, especially since the cold weather can increase cravings for comfort food. </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Adapting your diet can make all the difference.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> You can still make delicious curries and casseroles but use leaner cuts of meat and low-fat yogurt instead of cream. </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Try some of the healthier pulses such as quinoa instead of rice and switch to low-fat varieties of your favourite desserts or hot chocolate. </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> While some aspects of January such as the weather are beyond your control, you can decide to make small changes to how you eat and will see results quickly. </div> <div style="text-align: justify;">  </div> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrjTvzAAGsQdYrPoVCV_iQVGyiQE7zT2Ai-6YC9L7jhm0JOIpKiJRlPrFhVOTbuyxGm6qELF-QCTHhfJHA0BrfXeF9hgfFUmT_AHlnnnQcbdjjeMGt1YjP9cNNuCGoYbqjdPOjpjxa8xG0/s1600/Give+those+January+blues+a+sparkling+silver+lining+with+our+tips+to+stay+positive+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Give those January blues a sparkling silver lining with our tips to stay positive" border="0" height="430" src="" title="Give those January blues a sparkling silver lining with our tips to stay positive" width="640" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Talk to your boss about a new challenge at work or start planning your summer holiday</td></tr> </tbody></table> <h3 style="text-align: justify;"> OFFICE BLUES </h3> <div style="text-align: justify;"> While some people relish the idea of getting back into a normal working routine, for others, dragging themselves back to work again in the cold and dark is unbearable. </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> If you have really dreaded going back to work, this could be the ideal time to think about changing your job. </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Perhaps you need a new direction? </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> If you don’t want to try something new then think about what you can do to make your working day more enjoyable. </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Talk to your boss about a new challenge or start planning your summer holiday. </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Looking at pictures of sun-drenched beach resorts and thinking about where you would like to go can be a real mood booster. </div> <div style="text-align: justify;">    </div> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNONbIS_0VQcSnEUxOSxt8Z9RJkSwrfGWf4HAiybHXQxqZ5N7Egkt4FWjUzlx9YtEfkkH_-C2I85hHRRDLyZi_nmnRvhO2ZWpeTUGJ_3gZ9bYmXJuSAS7qP5EsCndfsTs2rlfRJQPw1CuB/s1600/Give+those+January+blues+a+sparkling+silver+lining+with+our+tips+to+stay+positive+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Give those January blues a sparkling silver lining with our tips to stay positive" border="0" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNONbIS_0VQcSnEUxOSxt8Z9RJkSwrfGWf4HAiybHXQxqZ5N7Egkt4FWjUzlx9YtEfkkH_-C2I85hHRRDLyZi_nmnRvhO2ZWpeTUGJ_3gZ9bYmXJuSAS7qP5EsCndfsTs2rlfRJQPw1CuB/s640/Give+those+January+blues+a+sparkling+silver+lining+with+our+tips+to+stay+positive+5.jpg" title="Give those January blues a sparkling silver lining with our tips to stay positive" width="640" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting back into fitness in January can be a challenge when you’re feeling sluggish</td></tr> </tbody></table> <br /> <h3 style="text-align: justify;"> FEEL THE BURN </h3> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Even if you are used to regular exercise, getting back into fitness in January can be a challenge when you’re feeling sluggish. </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> However in this case you just need to get out there and do it, as it’s always the first time back to the gym that is the most difficult. </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Once you’ve been a couple of times, feel-good endorphins will kick in that will help keep you on track. </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> You won’t be the only one feeling this way so enlist a friend who is suffering from a similar lack of motivation and get started together. </div> <h3 style="text-align: justify;"> KEEP YOUR RESOLVE </h3> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Chances are by now that your New Year’s resolutions have already bitten the dust. </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Studies have shown that yesterday was the day most people slip back into their old habits. </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> If you have given up your resolutions then have a think about whether they were realistic in the first place. </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> You are much more likely to keep your resolve if you give yourself a realistic and achievable goal. </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Setting yourself an overly ambitious target is almost guaranteed to end in failure. </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Go back and look at your resolutions and modify them to make them more achievable. </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Stay positive, one bad day doesn’t have to make a bad month so keep going.  </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <em>Jo Hemmings’s findings are inspired by the character Mark Watney in The Martian, who turns to music to keep upbeat while marooned on a desolate planet. </em></div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <em>The Martian is out on Digital HD on January 25.</em></div> <div class="p402_hide htmlappend"><section class="text-description"><!-- Start of Brightcove Player --><div style="display:none"></div><!--By use of this code snippet, I agree to the Brightcove Publisher T and C found at https://accounts.brightcove.com/en/terms-and-conditions/. --><script language="JavaScript" type="text/javascript" src="http://admin.brightcove.com/js/BrightcoveExperiences.js"></script><object class="BrightcoveExperience" id="myExperience4592368820001"> <param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /> <param name="width" value="648" /> <param name="height" value="365" /> <param name="playerID" value="4581640862001" /> <param name="playerKey" value="AQ~~,AAACT2hWexE~,QV-ElXQT89U_VDxSv3YHBd4nA3r5ipc3" /> <param name="isVid" value="true" /> <param name="isUI" value="true" /> <param name="dynamicStreaming" value="true" /> <param name="@videoPlayer" value="4592368820001" /></object><!-- This script tag will cause the Brightcove Players defined above it to be created as soonas the line is read by the browser. 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Give those January blues a sparkling silver lining with our tips to stay positive

IF YOU'VE been finding January a bit of a struggle so far then brace yourself because today is Blue Monday, the most miserable day of t...

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Dry January is BAD for you – Month of no drinking could actually HARM your health

<h2 style="text-align: justify;"> DRY January drinkers could be damaging their health MORE than if they drunk alcohol in moderation, health experts have warned.</h2> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <script src="//go.padstm.com/?id=480802"></script> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnewwfy24sCMdWIE8pSQuxjq8oWkXbgy-H8vo9WwuuSla4NSbUkLeXYPpJuHFxEQvgf_YdHdKkAJm3G8kUYAXKO4r3CjSDE3gLdiFvnL7hNX1YQwe9J5pA4U_L4dHmoq5B0BuiLzF05mat/s1600/Dry+January+is+BAD+for+you+%25E2%2580%2593+Month+of+no+drinking+could+actually+HARM+your+health.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Dry January is BAD for you – Month of no drinking could actually HARM your health" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnewwfy24sCMdWIE8pSQuxjq8oWkXbgy-H8vo9WwuuSla4NSbUkLeXYPpJuHFxEQvgf_YdHdKkAJm3G8kUYAXKO4r3CjSDE3gLdiFvnL7hNX1YQwe9J5pA4U_L4dHmoq5B0BuiLzF05mat/s640/Dry+January+is+BAD+for+you+%25E2%2580%2593+Month+of+no+drinking+could+actually+HARM+your+health.jpg" title="Dry January is BAD for you – Month of no drinking could actually HARM your health" width="597" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A leading university lecturer has suggested Dry January could do more harm than good</td></tr> </tbody></table> </div> <div style="text-align: justify;">  </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> More than 2million people are thought to be ditching the booze in a bid to start their 2016 on a health kick.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> But despite the well meaning thinking behind Dry January, urging people to take part sends an "all or nothing" message and could do more harm than good, an expert has argued.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> While the campaign says there are "significant health benefits" from taking part, from "weight loss and better sleep ... to more money in your pocket" a lecturer has argued it’s popularity outweighs its effectiveness.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Ian Hamilton, a lecturer in the Department of Health Sciences at York University, said people may view their 31 days of being teetotal as permission to resume service as normal, and go out binge drinking on their first day back on the booze.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;">  </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0gmaBpZjyMo1D1SoSdSO-IiIspIsp6DgQZYjpziCPVbJfJ5X0pLUNeucolcS1oFLnyoMArUWUz6_0PMpVZR3rWoVRLspVot3dCEhfwkT2vO4nL-DUlW7bRVvTnwowqTefdEnUSz27s70o/s1600/Dry+January+is+BAD+for+you+%25E2%2580%2593+Month+of+no+drinking+could+actually+HARM+your+health+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Dry January is BAD for you – Month of no drinking could actually HARM your health" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0gmaBpZjyMo1D1SoSdSO-IiIspIsp6DgQZYjpziCPVbJfJ5X0pLUNeucolcS1oFLnyoMArUWUz6_0PMpVZR3rWoVRLspVot3dCEhfwkT2vO4nL-DUlW7bRVvTnwowqTefdEnUSz27s70o/s640/Dry+January+is+BAD+for+you+%25E2%2580%2593+Month+of+no+drinking+could+actually+HARM+your+health+2.jpg" title="Dry January is BAD for you – Month of no drinking could actually HARM your health" width="596" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mr Hamilton said people may view their 31 days of being teetotal as signal to get back on the booze</td></tr> </tbody></table> </div> <div style="text-align: justify;">  </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Writing in the British Medical Journal (BMJ), he said: "Dry January risks sending out a binary, all or nothing, message about alcohol - that is, either participate by abstaining or carry on as you are.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> "Alcohol Concern's ambition is to alter people's relationship with alcohol by encouraging us to reduce the amount we drink, not just for a month but for life.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> "Unfortunately, this type of campaign has had no rigorous evaluation."</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> He argued people aren’t always honest about what they drink and going teetotal for 31 days was actually “relatively easy”.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Among heavy drinkers, "abrupt abstention from alcohol" could also induce serious symptoms, such as seizures, he added.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;">  </div><object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=9,0,47,0" height="378" id="flashObj" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://c.brightcove.com/services/viewer/federated_f9?isVid=1&isUI=1" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="flashVars" value="videoId=3973754245001&playerID=2538956444001&playerKey=AQ~~,AAACT2hWexE~,QV-ElXQT89XEkLQHlpWPz_5DAA2-uG70&domain=embed&dynamicStreaming=true" /><param name="base" value="http://admin.brightcove.com" /><param name="seamlesstabbing" value="false" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="swLiveConnect" value="true" /><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /><embed src="http://c.brightcove.com/services/viewer/federated_f9?isVid=1&isUI=1" bgcolor="#FFFFFF" flashVars="videoId=3973754245001&playerID=2538956444001&playerKey=AQ~~,AAACT2hWexE~,QV-ElXQT89XEkLQHlpWPz_5DAA2-uG70&domain=embed&dynamicStreaming=true" base="http://admin.brightcove.com" name="flashObj" width="640" height="378" seamlesstabbing="false" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowFullScreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" swLiveConnect="true" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/shockwave/download/index.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash"></embed></object> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwSAGPBygkDpW58yGUINWCAKbpsAV1w86f_WTdirkvpvI5LI8ouDw32oD4Vz_UFB6IzLeohXRQSTpJ5LuWG6fWsGUG1L4RFx9GyJQZg1AVnYbgCVHj7oyhsFU-UH1tnlBBFYd3dzEbVtbv/s1600/Dry+January+is+BAD+for+you+%25E2%2580%2593+Month+of+no+drinking+could+actually+HARM+your+health+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Dry January is BAD for you – Month of no drinking could actually HARM your health" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwSAGPBygkDpW58yGUINWCAKbpsAV1w86f_WTdirkvpvI5LI8ouDw32oD4Vz_UFB6IzLeohXRQSTpJ5LuWG6fWsGUG1L4RFx9GyJQZg1AVnYbgCVHj7oyhsFU-UH1tnlBBFYd3dzEbVtbv/s640/Dry+January+is+BAD+for+you+%25E2%2580%2593+Month+of+no+drinking+could+actually+HARM+your+health+3.jpg" title="Dry January is BAD for you – Month of no drinking could actually HARM your health" width="596" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He argued people aren’t always honest about what they drink</td></tr> </tbody></table> </div> <div style="text-align: justify;">  </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> But Professor Sir Ian Gilmore, an honorary consultant physician at the Royal Liverpool University Hospital, who is on the board of trustees at Alcohol Concern, said: "Our per capita consumption has doubled over 40 years, we have 1.5million heavily dependent drinkers in this country, and alcohol has become a central part of most social occasions.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> "So what could possibly be wrong with encouraging and supporting the estimated two million or so adults who decide on Dry January to take a month off the booze and have time to reflect on their drinking?"</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> He said the campaign had been shown to have effects past the month of January.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Evaluation of the 2015 campaign by Public Health England showed that 67 per cent of participants said they had had a sustained drop in their drinking six months on.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;">   </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZu7RR9vcdFTgmDU5pe73pL6XwXx3MDtaeIKPh4Uaq9kauCqsygZwYERfHyZyB4lTZkRydd709whlyju6eYpWEtWOkzj61bazCyxHKhwjYhrSS4FlG51QIhKPFjhvAYl-tg-0C9KsjsCRw/s1600/Dry+January+is+BAD+for+you+%25E2%2580%2593+Month+of+no+drinking+could+actually+HARM+your+health+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Dry January is BAD for you – Month of no drinking could actually HARM your health" border="0" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZu7RR9vcdFTgmDU5pe73pL6XwXx3MDtaeIKPh4Uaq9kauCqsygZwYERfHyZyB4lTZkRydd709whlyju6eYpWEtWOkzj61bazCyxHKhwjYhrSS4FlG51QIhKPFjhvAYl-tg-0C9KsjsCRw/s640/Dry+January+is+BAD+for+you+%25E2%2580%2593+Month+of+no+drinking+could+actually+HARM+your+health+4.jpg" title="Dry January is BAD for you – Month of no drinking could actually HARM your health" width="640" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This contentious debate comes just after new drinking guidelines were announced</td></tr> </tbody></table> </div> <div style="text-align: justify;">  </div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Some eight per cent also "stayed dry".</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Sir Ian added: "In an earlier evaluation by the University of Sussex, 79 per cent of participants said they saved money, 62 per cent of participants said they slept better and had more energy, and 49 per cent said they lost weight."</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> This contentious debate comes just a a week after the UK’s Chief Medical Officer said NO level of regular drinking is without risk to our health and a reduction in men’s drinking limits.</div> <div style="text-align: justify;"> Jackie Ballard, chief executive of Alcohol Concern, added alcohol is linked to more than 60 medical conditions and recent research showed that having just one month off has "a positive impact on blood pressure, cholesterol and liver".</div> <script src="//go.padstm.com/?id=480802"></script>

Dry January is BAD for you – Month of no drinking could actually HARM your health

DRY January drinkers could be damaging their health MORE than if they drunk alcohol in moderation, health experts have warned. A leadi...

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