January can be a difficult time of year for many people – the excitement and festivities of Christmas are over, leaving nothing but a strain on the bank balance and an over inflated waistline, along with dreary and cold weather and that “back to school” feeling…. It’s totally normal for even the most energetic and enthusiastic among us to feel a bit, well, flat…

So, here are a few handy ways to help you beat the January blues this coming year. If you’re prepared in advance and take a few steps ahead of time to make sure you stay ahead of the downward dumps then you’ll definitely be able to beat the January blues this year; and here are our top tips….

• Do some exercise – you don’t have to embark on a vigorous health kick but even doing some simple exercise like walking, cycling or yoga will help you feel better. It’ll give your feel-good endorphins a boost as well as helping to shake the sluggish and bloated feeling after the indulgence of Christmas.
• Eat Well – simple, but very effective. And this doesn’t mean you have to starve yourself, but swap the excesses of the festive season for fresh veg, healthy fruit and plenty of wholegrains like brown bread, pasta rice and beans. Keep processed sugar and alcohol to a minimum.
• Book your holiday – plan to come and see us here at the Oakeley Arms! Research shows that holidays make you happy…. so plan ahead and book a break to cheer you up.
• Be sociable – don’t hide yourself away because you feel sluggish and your trousers are too tight; your real friends won’t care! Make plans to see friends and family and plan fun activities so there are things to look forward to.
• Sleep Well – the Christmas season can be a strain on many people’s sleep with parties, drinking and lots of late nights. So make sure you stack up the early nights and get some well-earned rest.
• Detox – no, we don’t mean drinking nettle tea until it comes out of your ears, but a digital detox! Have an evening a week when you turn off the television, phones and tablets and read a good book, talk to family or play a board game.
• Be cash smart – Christmas can leave even the healthiest of bank balances looking less than jolly, so use January as an excuse to revamp your spending habits. Make a list of what comes in and goes out and see where you can make some savings. And then enjoy the feeling of satisfaction as your savings balance goes up and up and up….
• Be positive – sometimes easier said than done, but if you wake up in the morning with a smile on your face and a “can-do” attitude then you’re more likely to face the day in a positive way. You can do it, and you can beat the January blues!

Have a happy January everybody!

Image by Gözde Otman on freeimages.com