A rural break in the glorious British countryside, in a tranquil or remote holiday location is good for body and mind at any time of year. Once the Christmas period is over, the leftovers have been polished off and the Quality Street has been depleted, many of us will solemnly swear to stick to healthy New Year's resolutions of getting in shape and taking better care of our bodies.
Most of us do this knowing full well that these promises to ourselves will likely be broken before the first day of January is over and forgotten before the week is out. If you're looking to do things a little differently this year, though, we think a rural break can be a great way to stick to your resolutions and kickstart a healthy approach to the New Year. Here's why:
1. A change of scenery does you good
One of the reasons it's so difficult to stick to your New Year's resolutions is that it's very easy to fall back into the same old reassuring routine. Often this means leaving your healthy new approach by the wayside, no matter how well intentioned you may have been, and sticking with bad habits you'd hoped to abandon, simply out of familiarity. When you're used to a certain way of doing things, it takes active effort to change it, and most of us end up taking the path of least resistance without even realising. That's why a change of scenery can be a real boost to starting off a healthy New Year.
When you prise yourself away from your usual surroundings, it makes it a lot easier to start things over from scratch. Instead of dragging yourself through the drudgery of a day it feels like you've lived a thousand times before, you can look at things through fresh eyes in an inspiring new landscape. The tranquility and beauty of a rural break in the British countryside make it a perfect opportunity to set your healthy new habits in stone with the benefit of a new perspective.
2. You'll have a reason to take a walk
No New Year's health kick is complete without making a promise to yourself to get more exercise, but when the time comes and you're trying to talk yourself into lacing up your trainers and going for a jog around the park, it's all too easy to find reasons not to do it. And perhaps for good reason: most of the forms of exercise we subject ourselves to just aren't enjoyable. Who really wants to waste their time puffing down the road in a tracksuit dodging oblivious pedestrians, or spend a Monday evening crammed into a crowded gym rubbing shoulders with other hopeful post-Christmas health-seekers? The sofa looks more and more tempting by the minute.
Instead of trying to convince yourself of the desirability of a run through your local industrial estate, what if you could take a brisk walk through a beautiful landscape instead? A countryside break is the ideal motivation to start working on a healthier exercise regimen, with gorgeous surroundings and breathtaking views to reward you for going that extra mile or ten. You'll have no trouble convincing yourself to get up out of your chair when there's stunning sights to see and somewhere worth walking. There are some stunning walks in Britain, circular countryside walks with amazing views and short woodland walks ideal for those on holiday with dogs.
3. It's a great chance to de-stress
As important as it is to take care of your physical health, it shouldn't be your only focus - mental health is just as important, especially with the stress many of us deal with in our day to day lives. We all need a break now and then, and a holiday in the countryside is the ideal way to unwind after dealing with the rigours of Christmas shopping and festive preparation, not to mention surviving the day itself.
What better way to put yourself on an even keel for the New Year than getting away from the crowded streets and the hustle and bustle of everyday life to relax in idyllic rural surroundings? With the proven health benefits of spending a little time in a more natural environment, a country holiday is a good opportunity to do a bit of quiet contemplation - or just fall asleep in front of a roaring fire after a long stroll through some glorious scenery.
4. It's a breath of fresh air
It's all very well to decide you're going to eat better, do more exercise, and generally take your health a little more seriously, but at the end of the day most of us spend hours commuting each day through cities choked with car fumes, pollution and other airborne nasties. Why not give your lungs a break and head out of the smoggy urban environment to get a bit of truly fresh air?
It may sound a little old-fashioned to head into the countryside to "take the air" - like something out of a Victorian novel - but it's a practice that has stood the test of time. Breathing clean air has innumerable health benefits, making a relaxing rural break a perfect part of a New Year's detox, and a great way to set yourself up for a healthy year ahead.
5. There are benefits to the silent treatment
One thing we often don't take into consideration when thinking about our health is the effect of the excessive noise that comes as part and parcel of urban living. The sounds of honking traffic, loud neighbours and dogs barking can put you continually on edge without even realising it, and an escape to the countryside can make for a welcome break that will do wonders for your stress levels, giving you a more balanced and peaceful start to your New Year.
That's not to say rural environments can't be somewhat loud as well, but personally we'd rather be woken up in the morning by the sound of birds singing than the noise of dustmen shouting to each other, wouldn't you?
If this blog post has got you thinking about the health benefits of a rural getaway, you won't want to pass up the opportunity to stay in one of our fantastic hand-picked holiday properties. Consider a Yorkshire countryside holiday, a trip to Peak District in Derbyshire, or a stay in a pretty holiday cottage in the Cotswolds. Start as you mean to go on and make the most of your free time by getting out in nature.
