A major charity initiative is urging families across Wales to take action to combat the ’January blues’ by taking simple steps which will also help to protect their long-term physical health.

A UK wide survey commissioned by the National Charity Partnership, a collaboration between Diabetes UK, the British Heart Foundation (BHF) and Tesco, found that cold weather, dark nights and lack of money contribute to almost three in four adults (74 per cent) in Wales feeling down in January. About four in ten (39 per cent) say going for a walk or a jog helps improve their mood, but only 26 per cent actually do it.

The partnership is encouraging people to get outside and get active to look after their mental wellbeing and long-term physical health. Being active can help improve mental wellbeing as well as reduce the likelihood of Type 2 diabetes and heart and circulatory disease.

The survey found that nearly two in three people (62 per cent) said they would like to find more time to exercise. Almost all respondents (94 per cent) agree that being active can help to reduce their risk of Type 2 diabetes and heart and circulatory disease, but many (48 per cent) admit they lack motivation.

The partnership has developed an online motivational goal setter tool to help people set health-related targets and keep them motivated to achieve their goals. It will also be raising awareness of the importance of physical activity at the annual PromXtra event in Conwy later this year and funding a community-wide physical activity challenge across Rhondda Cynon Taf called ‘Beat the Street’.

Alex Davis, Head of Prevention for the National Charity Partnership, said: “It’s natural for people to prefer to stay indoors rather then get active during the winter, but January is a great time to start thinking about your health. It doesn’t have to be expensive either: our survey found that one in four people says the price of fitness classes is a barrier, but even just ten minutes of a free activity such as walking or jogging can help to make a big difference to your mental and physical health.

“More than four million people in the UK already have Type 2 diabetes and around seven million live with heart and circulatory disease. Millions more are at risk of these potentially life-threatening conditions, but this doesn’t have to be the case.

"We hope that through our activities in Wales, we can inspire people to get outside and get active. Any kind of moderate exercise such as walking, jogging, swimming, cycling not only boosts endorphins leaving you feeling calmer and happier, but will also improve your general health.”

The National Charity Partnership is running a campaign, Let’s Do This, to support adults to reduce their risk of Type 2 diabetes and heart and circulatory disease by taking small steps towards healthier lifestyles. Its online Goal Setter allows people to set and monitor their health-related targets and encourages them to stay motivated and achieve their goals.

For more information about Let’s Do This, please visit: http://www.lets-dothis.org.uk.