As we are often told, January is a depressing month, but it doesn’t have to be. Okay so Christmas is over and although I do miss that Merry festive time I don’t think I could eat another minced pie and I’ve had my fill of roast potatoes for a while. So in the mean time we have 2014 to focus on and if you are feeling down or need a little pick me up during this first month of the year, here are some of my tips to keeping happy and positive.
Unfortunately this isn’t a guaranteed happiness guide but these are just some of the things that I do and have tried that personally help me feel positive and happy and so some of these tips may help and work for you too.
Tip 1. Go Green
I’ve been starting my day with a green smoothie/juice for several months now. I call them green juices as I put a lot of veg in them which turns the drink green. I soon got use to the savoury taste (as apposed to sugar filled smoothies I’d previously drank) and now I rarely go a day without one. The energy boost the juices give me each morning are amazing and it’s a great way to make sure I get plenty of vitamins each day. In an average day the ingredients I will use are; 1 banana, 1 apple, 1 carrot, a quarter cup of raspberries, a hand full of curly kale and a sprinkling of linseed, topped up with water.
Tip 2. Exercise
Exercise is a great way to keep you feeling good. I try to exercise at least four times a week (when I’m being good). Over the holidays I did no exercise for over two weeks and along with all the food and drink, I started to feel bloated and sluggish. After only a week back at the gym after Christmas, I was feeling my energetic self again. I realise the gym isn’t for everyone and many people see it as a chore or boring but there are plenty or other ways to keep fit, such as partaking in local sports or even just simply going for long walks, which takes me onto my next tip…
Tip 3. Go on long walks
Okay so when it’s not pouring it down with rain (as it usually is here in the UK), going for a walk is a great way to get some fresh air and a bit of exercise at the same time. If you live somewhere sunny, then perfect for you (unless you’re lucky enough to live somewhere too hot for walking). Recently we’ve had some clear days and even managed to see some blue skies. I love going for long walks when the air is still crisp but the sky is blue, as I find it really refreshing. Also when I’m stressed or need to think, I often find going on a long walk is a great way to clear the mind and leave me feeling reinvigorated.
Tip 4. Phone a friend
Two of my best friends live far away, the furthest living in Barcelona. So as you can imagine it’s not always easy to catch up, with our busy lives and the distance between us. Despite this I know that my best friends are only ever a phone or Skype call away. Catching up with my girlfriends is the perfect pick me up, I often I have a grin on my face for hours after our chats together have ended and I’ll still be giggling to myself at our silly conversations. Whether it’s catching up with a nearby friend over a coffee or speaking over the phone long distance, I can always rely on my best friends to put a smile on my face.
Tip 5. Have a hobby
It could be Wednesday night dance class, baking on a Saturday or putting an hour aside once a week to do that painting you’ve always wanted to do. Whatever your hobby is, make time for it, so that you can make time for you. Work and life can often take over and many of the interests you used to have can be forgotten. But remember the good things that make you smile and go do them.
Tip 6. Be productive
A new year can often be a fresh start and so if there’s something important you’ve been needing or wanting to do, then a good time to start getting it done is now. Rather than leaving what needs to be done till last minute or forever putting it off (something which I am often guilty of), you’ll feel much better if you start work on what you need to do, now rather than later. I was happy to finally get my bag site open last week and it’s shown me what I can do when I use my time productively. The process of the productivity might not always be fun and it might even be stressful but once it’s done you’ll be left feeling satisfied and happier.
Tip 7. Have a clear out
You may decide to make some extra cash with and eBay haul or do a good deed by giving a good chunk of your clothes to charity, either way a clear out is a great way to clear space and start fresh. I just recently did this and got rid of numerous items which I seemed to simply be hoarding. After being roofless with my clear out, not only did it leave me feeling refreshed It made plenty of space for more new clothes, hurrah! You know the saying, out with the old, in with the new.
Tip 8. Buy a new lipstick
So this tip seems really simple but it’s amazing what a bit of lippy can do. (For guys it could be buying a new grooming product, unless your a guy who wears lipstick of course). If you haven’t noticed already, I am lipstick obsessed. I love buying new lipsticks and I love trying out new shades. I am a strong believer of the positive effects that trying out a new look can do for your confidence and self esteem. A new lipstick shade alone can give you a completely different look and trying out a new colour is a great non permanent and inexpensive way to experiment.
Tip 9. Pamper yourself
I’m talking bubble bath, face mask, hair mask, nails, the works. Have a night in for you and make yourself feel and look fabulous. I find this especially important in winter months, when your skin and hair feels dryer and you feel like it’s been five years since you last saw sunshine (again if you live in a hot country, lucky for you). Pampering yourself is the perfect way to spend some me time. You could even make a night of it and get your friends over, or rope the other half in… How nice would a massage be after that bubble bath!
Tip 10. Make a plan
Having something to look forward to is a great way to keep you feeling positive. I love making plans, whether it be a girly night in, a weekend away with the boyfriend or a big trip abroad, making a plan to do something fun is always exciting. Even if you have to wait a while to do what you’ve planned, it can make you feel happier just thinking about what you’ve got to look forward to.
So these were my 10 Tips, I hope you can find some of them useful and helpful, now go forth and be happy! 😀
Samio x
