HelloFresh have done some research this January and this is what they found….
Over half of Brits (58%) feel January is the hardest point in the year to get back into a routine following weeks of watching telly in your PJs and eating chocolate for breakfast, according to a survey from HelloFresh.
The UK’s leading recipe kit provider is stepping in to support families to regain balance and restore routine in the new year. A resounding nine in ten (90%) Brits agree that regular home cooked meals are one of their main priorities for January.
HelloFresh Research
The research also reveals the signs you are officially ready for a new year include having the urge to hit the gym or pound the streets (20%). Plus, encouraging the family to sit back round the table for meals is another, as opposed to eating in front of the telly (6%).
Pledging to cook wholesome meals (16%), Googling “healthy recipes” (9%) and telling the children to “do something constructive” (13%). These are other sure-fire signs you’re ready to embrace January.
A quarter would love some help with cleaning the house, while 22% wish someone would help them think of ways to eat well. Furthermore, 11% would like more inspiration for healthy, tasty recipes.
Dr. Martha Deiros Collado
To bring balance back to the New Year, HelloFresh has teamed up with Clinical Psychologist Dr Martha Deiros Collado to offer families practical tips on restoring routine, managing post-holiday stress, and simplifying mealtimes. Dr. Martha said:
“Maintaining post-holiday balance doesn’t just happen. You have to make it happen. You need a Game Plan. This takes a little preparation but once you are set, it can build some healthy habits that you can continue throughout the year. Whether you are a “Fresh Starter” bursting with energy and ready to take on the new year with a bang, a “Ghost of Christmas Past,” clinging to the festive spirit and not quite ready to let go of the tinsel – or something in between – there is a tip here for you to get you and your family back on track this January.”
What To do Next
1.
Invest in a weekly calendar that looks good, either on the back of your front door or in the corridor – something that helps the whole family know what happens when (e.g. PE day, non-uniform day, when the homework is due etc).
2.
Reinstate regular dinner times: Aim to make dinner the heart of your day with a home-cooked meal at roughly the same time each evening. A little consistency can help everyone feel more grounded, especially after the holiday buzz.
3.
Let there be light: January mornings are dark and can feel like a struggle. Reduce some of this by keeping fairy lights up to brighten up your kitchen or entrance, or light some candles at breakfast and imbue your mornings with a different atmosphere.
4.
Set aside time in breathing space: Plan to leave extra time before you leave your house and after you come back (or in-between activities) because children can drag their feet and take an age to do anything. This can be worse after the holidays as children miss being cosy and relaxed at home so rather than get frustrated when it happens, expect it and give yourself 15-20min breathing space.
5.
Make moving your body a family ritual: Try something fun that sets you up for the day, such as these three moves before you head out the door:
Try to touch your toes (Bend your knees if it helps)
Stretch your arms towards the ceiling, tall like a tree
Roll your shoulders back for five and forward for dove.
6.
Make time to rest and restore: January can feel like ‘all systems go’ but our brains and bodies are still wintering. Therefore, if you want to have energy make sure you also protect time to rest and restore alone and as a family too. This might look like a walk in nature, watching a family film, or cooking as a family. Equally, it may be planning an hour of ‘family quiet time’ where you all do something quiet in a shared space (e.g. reading, crafting, or building something).
Mimi Morley at HelloFresh
Mimi Morley, Senior Recipe Development Manager at HelloFresh, says:
“January is the perfect time to reset, and we know that getting back into a routine can be tough, especially when it comes to mealtimes. At HelloFresh, we’ve designed our recipes to take the stress out of cooking – making it easy to get a nutritious, home-cooked meal on the table without all the hassle. Our meal kits are full of fresh ingredients and simple instructions, so even on those busy evenings, families can enjoy dinner together without spending hours in the kitchen. It’s all about making mealtime a little easier, so families can focus on what really matters – being together.”
HelloFresh Meal Planning
Joe Swash (pictured above) cooks at home with HelloFresh
ARE YOU READY FOR A JANUARY ROUTINE? THE TOP 24 SIGNS YOU ARE:
1. You have a sudden urge to tidy the house – 38%
2. You can’t WAIT to tear the tree down – 25%
3. You’re bored of leftover sandwiches – 24%
4. You’ve purchased a shiny new yearly planner / calendar – 22%
5. You can’t wait to hit the gym – 20%
6. Chocolate is no longer your friend – 18%
7. You start pledging to cook wholesome food – 16%
8. You have the desire to get up and dressed – 15%
9. You’re craving water and fruit tea – 13%
10. You’re telling the children to do something constructive – 13%
11. You’re hoovering pine needles madly – 11%
12. You’re Googling healthy recipes / ideas – 9%
13. You’re making smoothies – 7%
14. You’re searching for healthy supplements online – 7%
15. You want to sit at the table rather than eat in front of the telly – 6%
16. You’ve signed up to yoga class – 6%
17. You never want to eat cheese and biscuits again – 6%
18. You’re dreaming of spinach and kale – 5%
19. You never want to see another goose fat potato – 5%
20. You’re listening to healthy podcasts – 5%
21. You’re putting make-up on – 4%
22. You fancy going wild swimming – 4%
Which Category Are You In?
When it comes to surviving January, we’ve discovered that Brits fall into four distinct categories. Half (51%) are the “Fresh Starters,” bursting with energy and ready to take on the new year with a bang. Then, we’ve got a quarter (26%) of “Scatterbrains,” just trying to make it through the month without losing their minds. A cozy seventh (15%) are the “Ghosts of Christmas Past,” clinging to the festive spirit and not quite ready to let go of the tinsel. And lastly, a mere handful (8%) are the “Goal Setters,” already over the holiday haze and laser-focused on making this year their year. If you want to discover what January persona you fit into take the quiz here.
Visit HelloFresh to find out more.
Regain A Healthy Balance This January With HelloFresh – Words by Rachel McAlley and John Doe Hub / @LadyRach
