HERE we are again at the beginning of a New Year, with perhaps plenty of ambitions, resolutions and plans on what we can, should and want to achieve, writes FUW president Glyn Roberts.

There is nothing wrong with having a challenge ahead but it gets a bit tricky when those plans and ambitions start to negatively affect our mental health.

The winter months can also present a challenging time for our mental health, with having to face dark mornings and long dark nights, severe weather conditions and for some the worry of having to choose between eating and heating as the cost of living crisis continues to bite. 

A good way to boost our mood and feel more positive is to be active and socialise.

The FUW is doing two of those things over the coming weeks and we hope many of you will be joining us either in our walking challenge or for breakfast.

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This week we are once again taking part in one of the biggest walking and running challenges, as we join five nations who have teamed up to inspire rural communities to take to the countryside to help improve their mental health this month. 

The challenge, #Run1000, is calling on people to sign up to be part of one of five teams – England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and New Zealand.

The competition will take place from January 9-15 and will see each team try to complete 1,000 miles, with the nation that reaches the milestone first announced as the winner. 

The idea is for individuals to sign up with a £20 sign-up fee and contribute as many miles as they can during that week in January, whether that be one or 100. 

As the DPJ Foundation is our charity, we want to help Wales win this race and of course also raise money for this tremendously important charity, beat the January blues and think about our own mental health.

This is a great way to get your daily exercise and we encourage everyone in our rural communities to join this worthy cause.

We are also looking forward to our annual farmhouse breakfast week, which this year starts on Monday, January 23.

Our teams across Wales are arranging breakfast events at county level and we very much look forward to catching up with many of you then as well.

It is always an excellent opportunity to share what’s on your mind over a great breakfast and a cuppa!

On a final thought this week - what is important is to be aware of how you are feeling, understand your triggers and most of all be kind to yourself and your loved ones.

If you experience a change in mood or notice it in family and friends, please don’t be afraid to seek help.