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Winter sun can set you up for the rest of the year

by Sarah Modlock

There is something very odd about digging out bikinis and scuba kit in the middle of winter. But I discovered it's the first step towards setting yourself up for the rest of the year. I didn't take much convincing to head to the Maldives in February but little did I know what an investment it would be in my sanity and well-being. In fact those seven days cast a 'ready brek' glow that's still in evidence as I write this many months later.

The beginning of the year is not everyone's first choice for a break. For starters, most people have just had time off at Christmas. But few would really call it a holiday. When you do finally relax and do nothing or just have fun then you will realise just how much you have been doing. The run up to Christmas begins earlier each year and however much you resist the commercial pressures, the ever-present lights, music and TV adverts can make the festive season build-up more of a strain than a joy. Even arranging cards, presents and social plans for a small family can be daunting, time-consuming and not as relaxing as it should. And if you love Christmas, so much the better. Look on the trip as a wonderful start to the new year.

The other problem is the risk of suffering a festive financial hangover. Shelling out for an indulgent trip when there are so many 'necessities' to be bought and paid for could be a purchase too far. So my recommendation to you now is to start saving and planning. Fill up a holiday fund which will deliver a priceless blast of winter sun and you wont regret it. Review your budget and set aside whatever you can afford each month. If you transfer the amount directly into a savings account you won't even notice it has gone.

There's nothing like a flight to somewhere hot for a week to con yourself into thinking winter is over and spring has sprung. As you soak up the sunshine, your body tops up on 'feel good' hormone serotonin and vitamin D stores. However many rainy days you encounter when you first arrive home, you will feel bright-eyed, bushy-tailed and resilient.

During my trip, it was impossible not to smile at the feeling of warm sand under my feet and the sound of the crystal clear ocean outside my bungalow. In fact every sight, sound and sensation which provided a sharp contrast with sleety streets and offices was a chance to bask in contentment. Smug? Absolutely.

Several books, amazing dinners, encounters with sharks, delicious spa treatments and killer cocktails later and my time was up.

When it came time to pack for the journey home, it was bizarre to see my winter jacket and the warm clothes I had worn through the snow to the airport in London. In paradise, such items seem completely meaningless and almost comical.

Wherever you go, whether it's Dorset or Dubai, Scotland or Spain, treat yourself to a break from our worst season and it will be money well spent.