By Jennifer McShane
28th Dec 2019
28th Dec 2019
Let’s face it: the month of January is dire. We can’t bear to look at a bank balance, and our bodies just can’t handle this back-to-work lark yet. They don’t call them the #JanuaryBlues for nothing. But fear not, as ever, there is always light at the end of the tunnel. The month obviously won’t last forever, but to give you a head start on feeling good again, we’ve compiled a handy list that will help with this. Some are scientifically proven to make you happier, and others just come down to the little things – start planning a city break away, buy new office stationery, eat your favourite carb-filled lunch, whatever makes you happy.
Work Happiness
Embrace The Scent/Taste Of Citrus
Citrus scents are proven to reduce stress. Treat yourself to a fresh to scent in the sales (Jo Malone have divine options in the zesty fragrance department), or enjoy’scraping the peel of a fresh lemon for a direct hit.
Buy New Office Stationery
To those who pretend they don’t love new stationery, please stop kidding yourselves. There’s nothing nicer than pretty, patterned paper to help us neaten our scrawl and pencil-in our plans for the year. The mere sight of it should cheer you up. We recommend getting a new diary to start, and after that, feel free to unleash all your stationary-filled desires as you wish.
Leave Social Media Behind For A While
It’s proven to genuinely make you happier, so if you can, log out of those social media accounts for a day or two. The pressure to be constantly “on” in our fast-paced society can be wearing on anyone and without that phone on constant beep mode, you’d be surprised what you can get done. Also, you’re more than likely to feel overwhelmed facing a constant?barrage of calls, texts and emails the first couple of weeks post-Christmas, so go easy on yourself in this regard. A morning away from all that could work wonders.
Eat Some Carbs
We don’t mean throwing all your new year fitness plans out the window; we just mean treating yourself to your favourite carb-filled food because life’s too short not to and you deserve it. Everything in moderation is the mantra to follow, and eating a sticky, glorious cupcake once a week isn’t going to kill you.
At Home
Enjoy Taking Time Out With Your Fave Film/TV Show
Because you are in need of time to chill. Well, that and the fact that pay day hasn’t arrived yet, but still. There is some super choices in terms of TV and film on the airwaves at the moment that you simply must see.
Revamp Your Surroundings
It’s time to really think about doing the DIY stuff you’ve put on the long finger this past year. It’s been proven, but we don’t need studies to tell us that revamping our surroundings has a positive effect on our moods. Whether you’re aiming for a minimalist’s dream or cosy comfort, you won’t be left stuck for ideas with the wide variety of products in the shops at the moment.
Plan A Trip
There’s little as exciting as your first trip away of the year. The packing, sense of adventure and the sheer thought of endless possibilities in another city is utterly addictive. The whole world is waiting for you so why not scan the airline sale offers to see what you can snap up.
Let The Light In
Getting a bout of Seasonal Effective Disorder (SAD) is quite common this time of year, and letting a little extra light into your life is a proven way to combat the blues.?Many psychology professionals recommended that folks who experience the winter blues get a SAD lamp: a lamp that’s been specially designed to help with?SAD. But if you don’t want to spend funds?on a lamp specifically designed for SAD sufferers, sitting three feet away from a 300 watt light bulb for twenty minutes is supposed to provide a similar boost of warm, natural-feeling light and better still, getting outdoors and taking in the natural elements is also a great idea.
Have A Good Cry
If you feel the need, just let those tears flow. It’s actually really good for you.
And Finally…
Do whatever it is that makes you happy, whether that’s a big thing or a small thing and you’ll start to feel the difference.
You’ve made it through your first few days of 2019, and that’s as good a start as any.
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