Beat the January blues!

Whilst it is fairly normal to feel a little ‘low’ after the hype of the Christmas festivities, there are several things you can do to beat those January blues. The third Monday of January is often referred to as ‘Blue Monday’, but MOLLY MAID, the house cleaning experts, are determined to help you stay motivated and in good spirits by trying some of the following tips:

• Do a good deed: By volunteering to get involved with your local community, or even by donating unwanted clothes or toys to a local hospital or charity shop is very fulfilling.
• Let the sunshine in: Winter tends to be a dark time of year with limited hours of daylight, however by drawing your blinds or curtains as soon as the sun rises and allowing light to flood it, can improve your mood beyond recognition.
• Feast on nuts: Keep a stash of walnuts or almonds in your desk drawer as they are both packed with Omega-3 fats, which may make people less prone to depression.
• Eat your way happy: You finally have an excuse to eat! According to research, those who eat a Mediterranean diet have a reduced risk of depression. This is largely due to their Omega-3 fish heavy diet along with the wholegrain bread, starchy vegetables, beans and pulses which they consume. These are high in complex carbs which increase the brain’s levels of serotonin, which plays a part in how happy we feel. Try knocking up a salmon, spinach and quinoa salad for an instant hit!
• Listen to uplifting music: Whatever lifts your spirit and frees your mind, whatever tune, song or album brings you to a place of strength and happiness, is a positive thing. It is believed that the vibrational energy from music heals your soul, so you should notice a change when you hear something you like.
• Fake a smile: Even if you’re not in the mood, try smiling as this tends to reduce stress in the body and sends positive messages to your brain and helps you feel better. Give it a try to beat those January Blues.
• Cuddle: It is well documented that physical touch will alleviate stress and makes us feel happier, so don’t pass up on the chance of a hug.
• Jump around! Ensuring that we take regular exercise, or even going for a quick, but energetic walk is vital to maintaining a healthy physical and mental state. The happy-making endorphins that are released when taking exercise is what creates our happier side and these can be triggered by simply jumping around for a few minutes too if you can’t get to the gym or go for a walk. Why not try some squats or star jumps to some uplifting music?

You’ve got nothing to lose by incorporating some of the above ideas into your daily routines to help keep those January Blues at bay.

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