Six tips to stay positive this January

After the fun and festivities of Christmas, January can seem like a rather difficult month. Winter has well and truly set in, you may have put on weight after one too many tins of Quality Street and those New Year’s resolutions haven’t quite gone to plan.

All of this can make the best of us feel a little down. So what can we do about it? Take a look below for some tried and tested positivity tips to help you feel more upbeat about the upcoming year.

1. Treat yourself

For most of us, December is a highly sociable month. A lot of our energy is spent at parties, seeing friends and family. Consider January the month you replace this energy with some well deserved me-time. Have evenings in, read that book you’ve been meaning to start or indulge in an at-home pamper session. Scheduling time for self care is important for both your physical and mental health.

2. Get some sunshine

Just because it’s winter, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t go outside. Try to get some natural sunlight every day. You could go out for a morning walk or pop out on your lunch break. If you struggle to get out during the week, make an extra effort at the weekends.

3. Look at your diet

If you’re feeling bloated and sluggish after overindulging in December, now is a great time to address what you’re eating. You can still eat your favourite comforting winter dishes, just look for healthier alternatives. Use lean cuts of meat and try natural yoghurt instead of cream.

4. Overcome office blues

If it’s your work life that is getting you down, think about whether or not you want a change of scenery. This may mean looking for an entirely new role, talking to your boss about future projects you want to participate in or even just booking a summer holiday. Sometime it’s simply a case of stress management.

5. Get physical

It can be difficult to get back into a fitness regime after Christmas (trust us, we know!) but the feel-good endorphins you get from exercise will do wonders for your mood. If you’re bored of your routine, try mixing things up with a new hobby or get a friend involved.

6. Re-look at your resolutions

Have you managed to stick to your intentions for the new year? If you’ve struggled, take a look at your resolutions and think about whether or not they are realistic. If necessary, modify them to make them more achievable.