January can feel like a really depressing month in some ways, but yet it can also feel like the most motivating month of the year. It is definitely a confusing time in our minds. On the one hand, we could all be feeling a little hazed from the festive period. Perhaps having indulged in too many chocolates and cookies. Christmas and the new year is done with for another year, and we are now left with January. A month that is categorically known for colder weather, and a hefty credit card bill for some. This is where the depressing bit can creep in. But, the January blues don’t need to affect you. I thought I would share with you some of the ways you can beat the January blues for good.
Beat the January blues
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Exercise regularly
Exercise is a great way to feel good about yourself. It’s a fact that your body produces hormones called endorphins when you regularly exercise and this can instantly make you feel better about yourself and life. Of course, exercise can feel a bit tiring the first few times as you start to get into it. So it can be difficult to keep it up. A great tip is to mix things up a little, so you keep your mind interested on the job at hand.
Perhaps invest in some equipment for your home like a spinner bike or a treadmill. Maybe subscribe to a few YouTube channels that have great workout content that you can do from the comfort of your own living room. Or even join a gym like many people will be doing this month; there are always some great deals to be had on memberships at this time of the year. Just move more in general and see the difference it can make.
Try something different like Yoga or meditation
You may want to mix things up a little and try something that focuses more on the mind. After all, the blues can be seen as a psychological way of feeling low and depressed with a situation. Yoga not only requires you to stretch your muscles in different poses but enables you to focus on your breathing during the process. The idea is to release any tension and feel at ease with your mind and your body.
Meditation is solely focusing on the breathing side of things, and this can be amazing for you if you happen to struggle with things like anxiety, self-esteem or negative thinking in general. Thankfully, there are plenty of guides online to help you get started. You could even consider downloading an app to your phone that has guided meditation
Concentrate on your mindset
One of the biggest issues with feeling low and blue is your mindset. You may have noticed that you are most likely focusing on the negative side of things instead of being optimistic and positive. This is where shifting your negative focus to something more positive could help you feel better about things moving forward. If you catch yourself thinking negatively, switch it around to have a positive outcome. Another great tip is to concentrate on gratitude and all the things going well in your life. Make a list of your blessings in a notebook.
Spend time with friends and loved ones
Sometimes all it takes to beat the January blues is to plan a few social events with friends. It might mean a night out when you get paid or inviting your closest friends and family over for a meal and few beverages. Just being around your loved ones can instantly lift your spirits and remind you what is good in life.
Set realistic goals to help keep you motivated
Who doesn’t love achieving goals? It is the time of year where many people set themselves targets and resolutions, so why not spend a bit of time thinking about how you are going to achieve those goals? Setting yourself realistic targets to achieve on your journey to your main goal and resolution can be a mood lifter and big motivator.
Start a new hobby
There is nothing quite like the buzz of starting a new hobby and learning something different. So use January as the perfect time to shift your attention to that. Maybe you got a new camera for Christmas, and you want to learn how to take it off auto. Or you want to reignite your passion for sewing or cooking. Whatever it may be, just start, and you will begin to feel much better about things.
Ensure you take care of yourself through your diet
Diet is one of the biggest ways we can feel sluggish and lethargic. Mix that with feeling a little emotional and down in the dumps, and it is a recipe for disaster. Comfort eating may seem like the best thing to do, but it can end up having the opposite effect of feeling better.
Try cooking yourself some nutritious food. If you fancy something comforting, then consider a stew made in a slow cooker. Stay away from the sugary stuff as it will give you a quick high and an even bigger low. It’s also important to focus on increasing your energy levels and keeping hydrated with water and eating a healthy balanced diet will help you feel less tired and more fired up for the month ahead.
Do something just for you
Finally, make sure you make some time for yourself to indulge in a bit of “you” time. That might mean a hot bubble bath once a week where you give yourself some pampering, or it might even be a coffee date for one with a good book. However you choose to use your time, spend it doing something you love and enjoy. It is a sure-fire way to lift your spirits.
I hope this helps you beat the January blues for good.
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