Across the web today Strava has been bigging up its big data chops with news that today is the day you are most likely to give up on your New Year Resolutions.

They have the data to prove it. According to them, after analysing 4 million UK uploads (and 31.5 million globally), the data for today is likely to show a 17.3% drop compared to normal upload levels. Their claim is that today is the day you are going to bail on your fitness plans.

I guess you can extrapolate from that to today being the day people are most likely to give up other resolutions too. So all those plans to stay ‘dry’ for January, or start a diet, or in Dandy’s case to possibly try working – they’re all under pressure today.

But that’s not all. There’s a double whammy on the way with Blue Monday looming. Blue because again – statistically – its the most depressed day of the year as Christmas bills start to hit and any fresh start buzz begins to fade. The 3rd Monday in January is always likely to be the point at people say ‘is this it??’

At least its fair to say you’re not alone.

Strava’s suggestions to keep to keep on track have a lot to recommend them for cycling, but also if you are genuinely struggling with mental health, at any time of the year.

Make it social

Train with friends and you are 22% more likely to keep going apparently. Join a club and you can expect to see your activity increase by 46%. More widely, people are important – the more contact you have the better things are.

Change your routine

Maybe start running or cycling to work? You’ll also be up to 43% more active at the weekends! Or simply train in the morning as most regularly active people do. And that phrase ‘a change is as good as a rest’ holds true in other aspects of your life too.

Set a goal

If you set a race goal in January there’s a very high chance you’ll still be active in 10 months time (hopefully whatever race you plan will be long finished by then though!). Again, having a target to aim for – be it sport, or any other kind of personal achievement – can help you focus and get you through the bad times.

Rest

Strava doesn’t say rest – they are all about activity after all – but I do. Give yourself a break and make sure you get the rest you need. I speak as someone who considers sleep as one of his hobbies, at least notionally (don’t tell my wife!).

Seriously though, if you are suffering with your mental health then do something about it. I am not an expert, but if you can reach out for help – to friends, to family or to the medical profession – it can be the start to a better future.

You can get a long way with small steps…

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About the author

Matt is one of the founding Molefathers of the Muddymoles, and is the designer and main administrator of the website.

Having ridden a 2007 Orange Five for many years then a 2016 YT Industries Jeffsy 29er, he now rocks a Bird Aether 9 and a Pace RC-627.

An early On-One Inbred still lurks in the back of the stable as a reminder of how things have moved on. You can even find him on road bikes - currently a 2019 Cannondale Topstone 105 SE, a much-used 2011 Specialized Secteur and very niche belt drive Trek District 1.

If you've ever wondered how we got into mountain biking and how the MuddyMoles started, well wonder no more.