Today is officially the most depressing day of the year. Post-Christmas and New Year blues. Pay day feels like a thousand miles away and it’s cold and rainy outside.
The winter months can be particularly difficult for patients of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), according to Silentnight’s sleep expert, Dr Nerina Ramlakhan.
SAD affects about one in every 15 people, and is characterised by a persistent low mood, irritability and feeling more sleepy during the day.
The condition is a type of depression that comes and goes in a seasonal pattern, according to the NHS.
Here are my top 10 tips to beats the January blues:-
1.Bath time! – Ingredients (4 x tea light candles, Green Radox Bath and some beautiful relaxing tunes like this – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vvvX5QM4z3Y ( Wicked Game by Chris Isaak) I guarantee this will make you feel good, it always works for me.
2.Exercise – reduces stress hormone levels. I don’t mean head to the gym and do something that you really hate. Find something that you enjoy maybe a local salsa class, a hip-hop class or take a new sport maybe hiking could be a new sport for you. I used to play netball for a local team which at the time I really enjoyed it. Exercise will also relax you deeper when comes to sleep, meaning you will feel fresher in the morning.
3.Nature – Go out for a walk around your local area. If you feel like going exploring find a local forest near you. The Japanese call it ‘Forest bathing’ calling it shinrin-yoku (森林浴). ‘Taking in the forests atmosphere’. Breathing in the fresh woodland air, turning your phone off and being yourself with nature. (No I don’t mean running around naked either haha) Honestly, I guarantee this will make you feel a thousand times better.
4.Call someone you love – I don’t mean text, whats app or message I mean actually call them. Ask how they are and arrange to see them in the future if you haven’t in a while. I don’t know why but as I grow older people seem to talk less and less on the phone. I personally prefer it because you can understand the conversation better, because you can hear the tone in their voice. Plus I think text can be taken in many different ways without meaning what you originally intended.
5. Watch your favourite film – Ingredients (Pajamas, a big snuggly duvet & pillow, Doritos and cream cheese dip, candles, and your ultimate film) Mine is Rocky! I will be watching it tonight or if I want a chick flick I Love Romeo and Juliet (Baz Luhrmann’s version)
6.Plan an adventure – Maybe a trip to a theme park in the summer? I usually go to Alton Towers, but this year I might try a new one. Or something like Go Carting with a group of you in the next few weeks, trips like this so much fun and if you’re like me I am very competitive and love a challenge.
Me and Emma at Alton Towers for Scarefest at Halloween.
7. Make your favourite dinner – Go and get the ingredients especially. The satisfaction you will get from making it fresh will make you feel good and taste better. If you don’t know how to make it LEARN! Think of it as a new challenge for 2018. My favourite is Thai Green Curry. No, I cant make it but I am going to learn, will keep you updated…..
8.Book a Holiday – An instant mood lifter, I booked to go to Geneva in March. One of the biggest car shows takes place every year, showcasing all the new cars from the biggest manufacturing companies in the world. I have wanted to go since I was a little girl. This year it’s on my goal list. Ideally wanted to go with someone but none of my friends are available. So I’m going to go on my own for an adventure.
9. Make your favourite music Album – I do this every few months. An Album of about 20 songs which are your favourite tunes. Whether the songs remind you of summer or a time when it brings back nice memories. You can put them into genres if you want. I have a rock, R&B and summer albums. They are easy to make (I make mine on iTunes, drag the songs I want into a new playlist then burn onto CD, done!) I make front and back covers too (I’m such a geek)
10. Clear your mind – after a long day at work. It can sometimes be difficult to switch off. I use this FREE app from Headspace available on the apple or google play store. It helps you learn life-changing meditation and mind-fullness which will help you sleep at night.
That’s the ten, I hope these methods help you like they have me xx
