5 fun London things to do to escape the January blues

14/01/2019

To put it lightly, January is not a nice time of year. It's tempting to stay under the covers and hide until it's all over but, of course, that's not possible for most of us. Work and social commitments will soon burrow their way into your cosy duvet nest like rampant hornets and disturb your slumber.

But depressing detoxes and quick-fix exercise regimes aren't the answer to the new year malaise. Instead, shake off the sluggishness of short days and cold weather with our guide to banishing the January blues, with laughter, booze and keep-fit classes so fun you'll barely notice the strain of burning calories. Most of these suggestions are modestly priced too, to suit those constrained January budgets.

Alternative exercise

The gym is for mugs. Instead of signing yourself up to a gym membership you'll only use once, get moving by trying a class where the keep-fit bit is incidental to the learning-a-new-skill bit. Try a three-hour introductory swing dance lesson at The Indytute and learn the basics of the six-beat swing, Lindy Hop and the Charleston. Or if that's a little too twee for your tastes, learn Ragga, the Jamaican dance craze, at Gymbox, which has various venues across central London.

Go shopping

Well, it is sale season after all! If you’re not finished off by the Christmas madness then there are always some great bargains to be had. Wrap up warm and head down some of those beautiful central london streets. Remember to stop by your favourite Hatton Garden jewellers on the way by! This might just be the year!

Do some good

Once your done with the indulgence of shopping, volunteering can be a great way to get you out and about doing something you're passionate about, or, for those in an existential mood, it'll give your life some meaning. Boris Johnson's Team Londonmakes it easy to volunteer for hundreds of projects across London and do-it.org.uk lets you search for volunteering opportunities according to your interest.

Have a laugh

Generate some endorphins with a dose of comedy this January at Vault Festival. London's biggest, boldest and bravest arts and entertainment festival returns in 2019 from January 23 to March 17 in venues across Waterloo. Now in its seventh year, Vault Festival presents 400+ shows from more than 2,000 artists, and eight weeks of theatre and comedy, immersive experiences, cabaret, live performance and late night parties!

See a new musical

The big sleeper hit Broadway musical of the last few years, ‘Come from Away’ tells the unlikely true story of a sleepy Newfoundland town that took in strangers from around the world when their planes were grounded at the local airport in the wake of 9/11. Huge in Canada and the States, you can expect to be very charmed. It’s on at the Phoenix Theatre in Covent Garden from Jan 30 2019 - May 25 2019.

What do you think of our list? We know there are so many things to do but these are definitely our favourites! Let us know yours in the comments, which ones will you be visiting this January?