After the final chocolate has been eaten and the last bottle of wine has popped its cork, there is nothing but a sense of deflation as cold and melancholic January rolls around.
When the artificial Christmas tree and Christmas tree decorations have been taken down and packed away, we’re left with merely an expanding waistline and a ravished bank account. It’s not surprising that January hit us hard. Blue Monday, allegedly the most depressing day of the year, is one example.
While you may be feeling underwhelmed and sluggish, the new year is a great incentive to turn over a new leaf. Make some lifestyle changes and perhaps aim for a new goal - not so much a resolution but a challenge to the concept of Blue Monday.
Christmas Tree World has come up with a few ideas to help you beat the January blues...
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Eat well, be well
After a good few weeks of indulging in alcohol and festive food, it’s no surprise that we feel a bit grim and lethargic. Perhaps that trusty old belt is no longer needed following the festive period? There are strong links between what we eat and how we feel, and you can start your wellness campaign with a break from heavy food and drink. Be realistic by working on eating a more balanced diet that is nutrient-rich and drink plenty of water.
Get moving and outside
If joining a gym is too expensive, just getting up and walking in the fresh air every day for at least half an hour will do the trick. Any movement is a good move to help get you back into shape and feeling more energised throughout the day. The hours of daylight may be shorter in January, but that shouldn’t stop you from getting outside. Even if it’s for 10 minutes at lunchtime, natural light can help balance serotonin levels and trigger your endorphins, which both boost your mood.
Get Some R&R
After one too many late nights, and your daily routine out of kilter, an easy way to start to get back to normal and feel better is rest. Re-establish your sleeping pattern and you’ll immediately feel more awake and ready for the day. Being fully rested is good for you, a lack of sleep can be harmful to both your mental and physical wellbeing. Take a deep breath and relax or shut yourself off for 10 minutes with music, maybe even meditation. Whichever it is, the world can wait.
Save money
After treating yourself and your loved ones over the festive period, purse strings probably need to be tightened. Set yourself a realistic amount to save per week and as you see your bank balance rising, you’ll feel a little cheerier. For those bargain hunters out there, you can get ahead of the game and take the pressure off next Christmas by checking out the amazing discounts in our artificial Christmas tree sale. There are plenty of other discounts available across the site, too.
Plan something fun for the coming weeks
By planning something interesting, you will have something to look forward to in the midst of the January blues. Whether it’s a day out with friends or family, a treat for yourself or a regular slot for peace and quiet, plan something and start counting down those days. Like activity and exercise, a change of scene or pace is good for your mental health - even for a short space of time. After all, the next bank holiday is only 81 days away - and that’s a shorter gap between the spring and summer bank holidays.
Take up a new hobby
If you’ve always wanted to give something a go, the new year is the perfect time to try it. Whether it’s joining a class or exploring a life-long interest, you’re bound to meet like-minded people and feel part of something where you can be you. Stimulation is good for you, as is challenging your norms. Feeling proud of who you are boosts your confidence. Good self-esteem helps when choosing to learn new skills and make new friends. Along the way, you may discover something amazing and unique about yourself
Smile
Ever thought that yawning is contagious, it’s the same with smiling. The song really is true, when you're smiling, the whole world smiles with you. You, and those around you, will be all the better for it - a form of altruism, where you are concerned about the happiness of others. When you smile, you release feel-good chemicals in your brain. By doing so, your body relaxes, and your blood pressure may be lowered, too. Smiling is contagious, so if you smile at others, you’ll help them feel better as well. January may be the time of year when we’re all cold, broke and have reneged our resolutions, but there are always ways to bust Blue Monday and be mentally healthy. One thing is certain, however, the January blues don’t last forever, and you’ll soon have the spring back in your step. But until then, remember that it's only 48 weeks until Christmas!How do you battle the January blues? Tweet us @Xmastreeworlduk