Dr Hilary Jones gives his top 5 tips for beating the Blue Monday blues

Go on the run

Exercise has been proven to lift your mood and improve well-being. Sticking to a new regime is much easier if you have a goal. I've signed up to the Bupa Great South Run in October to keep me motivated over the coming months. You can get a tailored training programme at www.bupa.co.uk/running

Go the extra mile for someone else

Studies show that acts of kindness for someone else make us feel good too! Get your friends to sponsor you for your run and raise funds for charity. I'm running for Alzheimer's Society to support people with dementia and their carers. You can get your charity place at alzheimers.org.uk/greatrun

Be green

Research carried out by mental health charity Mind shows that connecting with nature through activities like walking and gardening can be as effective as prescription drugs in treating mental distress. Find out more at www.ecominds.org.uk

Be game for a laugh

Whether it's watching a favourite film or TV show or going out to a comedy night, laughter is an endorphin trigger and helps to reduce stress. Sometimes laughter really is the best medicine.

Go bananas

Bananas contain tryptophan, which the body uses to make the happiness hormone serotonin. They also contain potassium and vitamin B6 levels which can become depleted if you're under stress. Include leafy greens, energy packed seeds, some oily fish and lots of fresh fruit and vegetables in your diet, and you'll be feeding you mind as well as your body.

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Notes to editors:

For enquiries please contact:

Alzheimer's Society

Jayne Phenton
T. 020 7423 3595
E. press@alzheimers.org.uk

Bupa

Jo Hudson
T. 020 7656 2273
E. joanne.hudson@bupa.com

Mind

Alison Kerry
T.020 8215 2237
E.a.kerry@mind.org.uk

Alzheimer's Society:

• One in three people over 65 will die with dementia
• Alzheimer's Society research shows that 750,000 people in the UK have a form of dementia, more than half have Alzheimer's disease. In less than 20 years nearly a million people will be living with dementia. This will soar to 1.7 million people by 2051
• Alzheimer's Society champions the rights of people living with dementia and the millions of people who care for them
• Alzheimer's Society works in England, Wales and Northern Ireland
• Alzheimer's Society needs to raise money to help people live well with dementia today and for research to find a cure for tomorrow. You can donate now by calling 0845 306 0898 or visiting alzheimers.org.uk
• Alzheimer's Society provides a National Dementia Helpline, the number is 0845 300 0336 or visit alzheimers.org.uk
  

Bupa

• Bupa's purpose is to help people lead longer, healthier, happier lives.
• A leading international healthcare group, we offer personal and company health insurance, run care homes for older people and hospitals, and provide workplace health services, health assessments and chronic disease management services, including health coaching, and home healthcare.
• With no shareholders, we invest our profits to provide more and better healthcare.  We are committed to making quality, patient-centred, affordable healthcare more accessible in the areas of wellness, chronic disease management and ageing.
• Employing over 50,000 people, Bupa has operations around the world, principally in the UK, Australia, Spain, New Zealand and the USA, as well as Hong Kong, Thailand, Saudi Arabia, India, China and across Latin America. 
• For more information, visit www.bupa.com.

Mind

• Mind is the leading mental health charity in Wales and England. We work to create a better life for everyone with experience of mental distress.
• Please note that Mind is not an acronym and should be set in title case.
• For more information visit www.mind.org.uk