7 top tips to combat the January blues
“Cheers to another year and another chance to get it right.”
It is not the easiest task to write about tips to combat the January blues on the first Monday of the first month of the year, in the fifty thousandth week of a global pandemic, but I am going to try.
Only last week I was an able-bodied lady, who could walk for 6-8 miles in a day without an ache. Today I am sporting crutches, after a rather spontaneous jump onto a kid’s plastic sledge which resulted in a visit to the local accident and emergency ward. A torn meniscus was my New Year’s gift to myself along with a huge dose of feeling sorry for myself and a newfound appreciation of taking less than three minutes to walk up the stairs.
I had a few moments of beating myself up with reminders that I am 50 not 15 and I should maybe be more cautious with my gung ho attitude to adventures, but I am not too sure how that would sit with my future self. The spontaneity of a moment is often the best kind.
So it has been 6 days since my tumble, the world has STILL gone to hell in a handbasket and now it is time to tell you all to be happy, by following my 7 top tips to beat the January blues.
Number 1 Helping Others
Try and find a way to help someone more in need. That might be making a phone call to cheer them up, sending a little note in the mail. Forwarding a funny message or simply telling someone that you care about them. By helping others, you automatically lift your own spirits.
Number 2 Keeping warm
Here in the UK we have experienced rather a cold spell this past week or so. Remember to keep yourself nice and warm, snuggle up under a blanket, make some hot soup, run a warm bath. I don’t know about you, but being cold simply makes me miserable and my levels of concentration dissipate to dust.
Number 3 Physical activity
I could give myself a “get out of jail” free card on this one for this month and as hard as it is trying to find exercises without really involving my legs and not bulking up with a triangular top half, there are videos and tutorials out there. Videos where you can do exercise that don’t involve a lunge, deep squat or a bucket load of star jumps. Whatever physical limitations you may have there will always be some way to get moving. (even if it is an eye roll reading this)
Number 4 Limit booze, chocolate, sweets, cakes.
Note here that I didn’t say eradicate once and for all. I am not being critical of anyone that follows the dry January, or chooses only vegan options or no sugar diets. There are huge benefits to removing some of these from our lives, but why in the hardest month of the year would you want to take away all treats. Limiting some of these might be from one chocolate bar a day to two a week, one glass of wine to just enjoying a few glasses on the weekend. Rather than inhaling a large bag of Haribo in one sitting (yes, I have and I do) choose the eggs jellies one day and the love heart shapes the next. OK, maybe that is a step too far, but you get the idea.
Number 5 Practice Gratitude
I have written blogs on this and am a MASSIVE advocate of this life changing tool. You can write these ideas down, lie in bed and say them silently in your head. Thinking about the areas of your life that you are grateful for, your home, your health, Haribo (that was clearly an alliterative thread I thought I would follow). Looking at all the things that ARE working in your life allows your energy to raise, therefore attracting more good things and people into your life. Positivity is so powerful and whilst it is ok to throw a pity party once in a while, (I had a socially distanced imaginary rave in my head last week after my epic knee malfunction moment), it is not healthy to stay there. Did the guy in Aldi launch my shopping at me any slower with crutches, no he did not! But my shopping was still a darn sight cheaper than other brands…. Every cloud!
Number 6 Realistic Goals
Let’s face it, it is hard to get through the first week of January without hearing the word goals or resolutions. If you do decide that you want to make some changes in your life make sure that they are achievable and attainable. I am not going to sign up for a triathlon in May if I can’t put my foot down in January without a yelp (disclosure, I have no intention of EVER signing up for a triathlon). But I could experiment with yoga and find new ways of looking after my mind and body. Maybe look at reading more books, set dates by which you want to finish them, and if you can’t get on with a particular book, you don’t have to read it to the end. Find another.
Number 7 Look at your Living Space
As a Professional Organiser and declutterer, I have saved the best until last, in my book/ blog anyway. If your space that surrounds you is cluttered and messy, it not only affects your mood but also your mental health. Finding items in your home can be easy or stressful depending on the level of organisation you have invested in your home. Piles of stuff everywhere indicates that you either do not have enough storage for your items, or you simply have far too much stuff. Having a good clear out can help you find things that were missing, whist also deciding to donate or sell things that you no longer use or love.
Number 7.1 Dance in the Kitchen (no explanation needed, other than it feels great)
So, whilst this has not been the most conventional list, for example, limiting the Haribo and don’t sign up for a triathlon whilst on crutches, I hope that there have been a few nuggets of wisdom/humour in there.
If you wish to discuss anything in this blog, or you need a hand with organising, decluttering or coaching and navigating you through these months, I would love to hear from you. Click here
With love and gratitude,
Siân
