The weeks leading up to Christmas are a whirl of shopping, cooking, cleaning and wrapping. So it’s no surprise we can all feel a bit ‘blah’ once Boxing Day rolls around. Science experts even have a term for it: ‘languishing’. It’s the feeling of emptiness and stagnation following the achievement of a goal i.e. staging the perfect Christmas celebration.

One way to reset your mood is to create some new plans – activities that supercharge your wellbeing.

You can’t beat London as a destination that offers plenty of fun without feeling like a burnt-out wreck by 1 January. Here are seven things to do in the capital – all within easy reach of the River Thames – that will take you from languishing to loving life again…

1. Stimulate your senses at Borough Market

Focusing on your five senses can help ground you and bring your stress levels down. And Borough Market, near London Bridge, is just the place to do that. There’s a wonderfully bustling atmosphere with aromatic culinary delights colourfully arranged on stalls.

Why not arrange to meet up with friends for a wander before diving into one of the many cosy bars or cafes in the area.

• Borough Market is open six days a week (closed on Mondays), 9am-5pm. Travelling via Uber Boat by Thames Clippers? Use London Bridge City Pier.

2. Challenge yourself by ice skating at Somerset House

Against the magical backdrop of Somerset House on the Strand, you can build confidence while having fun on the ice. Skating is a great way for improving balance and coordination, while strengthening joints and muscles. It also provides a decent cardiovascular workout, if you’re ready to pick up some speed!

• Skate at Somerset House, in conjunction with Virgin Atlantic Holidays, is open daily (closed Christmas Day). Session times vary. Travelling via Uber Boat by Thames Clippers? Use Embankment Pier.

3. Soak up the benefits of horizon-gazing in Greenwich

Have you heard of the benefits of horizon-gazing? American neuroscientist Dr Andrew Huberman says that staring at the horizon allows us to “actually turn off [our body’s] stress response by changing the way that we are viewing our environment”.

Wrap up warm and head for Greenwich Park, an eight minute walk uphill from the Thames. At the Royal Observatory you’ll enjoy stunning views across London – and on a sunny day, seeing the light reflecting off the city skyscrapers is quite something.

• Greenwich Park is open daily from 6am until dusk. Travelling via Uber Boat by Thames Clippers? Use Greenwich Pier.

4. Enjoy a stress-free New Year’s Eve with Uber Boat by Thames Clippers

Do you always find you’re the chief organiser when it comes to planning big events? It can be stressful, so why not let someone else sort the details.

On New Year’s Eve, four Uber Boat by Thames Clippers vessels will be transformed into floating venues so you can celebrate in style. During the London New Year’s Eve Cruise you’ll experience an unbeatable, unobstructed panoramic view of London’s world-famous fireworks display. 

Tickets include access to the boat, live music, a drink on arrival, a glass of bubbly at midnight to toast in the new year, a luxury snack box, access to the onboard café/bar and of course a prime viewing platform for the fireworks. 

• Boats will depart late evening (8.45pm onwards depending on the pier) from Putney, Battersea Power Station, Canary Wharf and Tilbury in Essex. Tickets start from £180 per person.

5. Get back to nature in Battersea Park

Spending time in green spaces can benefit your mental and physical health, say mental health charity Mind. Research into ‘ecotherpy’, which involves being active outside in nature, shows it can even help with mild to moderate depression.

Covering 200 acres, Battersea Park is home to significant numbers of wintering waterfowl along with 4,000 trees and eight separate gardens to explore, including the Winter Garden. Head over to the stunning Peace Pagoda on the banks of the Thames for a spot of quiet contemplation.

• Battersea Park is open daily, 8am until dusk. Travelling via Uber Boat by Thames Clippers? Use Battersea Power Station Pier.

6. Exercise with a speed walk along the South Bank

Walking briskly is highly recommended by the NHS for helping to build stamina, burn excess calories and make your heart healthier.

The London South Bank Walk – officially known as the Queen’s Walk – is a four-mile stretch of paved paths between Tower Bridge and Royal Hospital Chelsea. It’s part of the longer Jubilee Walkway.

If you’re walking with younger members of the family, you can turn your outing into an adventure. Stop to enjoy the street artists and buskers and check out the lamp posts adorned with marine animals. They’re known as ‘dolphin lamp posts’ but actually feature sturgeons.

• Queen’s Walk is open all-year round. Travelling via Uber Boat by Thames Clippers? Use Tower Bridge Pier.

7. Engage in mindfulness at the Tate Modern

Mindfulness is a medically backed technique that helps sooth anxiety and still the mind. A great way to practise it is while browsing in a gallery.

Relax and spend time studying the artwork in front of you. Notice your breathing and consider how you feel as you look at the art. Allow your mind to wander and accept the noises around you.

Tate Modern actively invites visitors to explore how art connects to feelings.

• Tate Modern is open daily (except for 24 – 26 December) from 10am. Travelling via Uber Boat by Thames Clippers? Use Bankside Pier.

Beat the winter blues with a cruise

Uber Boat by Thames Clippers runs seven days a week and serves 24 key piers throughout the city, from Putney in the West to Barking Riverside in the East. Get your tickets now.

Book today for the spectacular New Year’s Eve Cruise before tickets sell out!