Beating the January Blues

This time of year can be tough for many people. It's particularly tough on the bank balance and can be hard on your mood: the days are dark and miserable, it's cold and you don't feel like going out of the house much. It can feel like a bit of a letdown after the festive period.

Here are a few suggestions for beating those blues. They're about taking time for yourself, and your family, and learning to appreciate the smaller things in life. It's not an extensive list and I'd love to hear of any other ways you have of bringing the joy back to January.

Write thank you notes for your Christmas gifts.

Wrap up and go for a walk in the winter sun.

Take yourself off to the cinema.

Find time every day to read a book, even if it’s just a few pages. If you’re struggling to get through it choose a new book. Life is too short to carry on if you’re not enjoying it.

Enjoy a long, uninterrupted soak in the bath.

Snuggle up under a blanket and take a nap.

Treat yourself to a massage. There are often offers at this time of year so it doesn't have to cost a lot. Find pamper evenings where you can try out various treatments for a reduced rate.

Take a camera when you go for a walk. You’ll look at your surroundings differently if you’re looking for a good shot.

Find a DVD for all the family to enjoy. Get some popcorn and snacks.

Visit a local museum. You never know what you might learn.

 Do something for someone else-participate in a Random Act of Kindness.

Arrange a breakfast get-together with friends. Me & my friends struggle to find a night when we can all go out but often meet up straight after the school run for a bacon sarnie and coffee.

Don’t make unrealistic New Year resolutions. Plan for the rest of the year. We often use this time to start thinking about where we’d like to go and what we’d like to do during the school holidays.

Try some new recipes-get the children involved.

Try a new hobby.

 Have a day/evening playing board games.

Get yourself a colouring book. It is a very relaxing pastime.

Go for a bike ride. It doesn't have to be far.

 Have an indoor picnic.

Join a singing group. Singing is great for the soul and you don't have to be Mariah Carey to participate.

Have a pamper evening with friends/family. Get some face masks, paint nails, enjoy a hand massage if someone is willing to provide one!

Go for a bracing walk along the seafront followed by a warming drink at a cafe.

Tidy that messy spot that you’ve been avoiding for months!

Bake a cake.

Sort your wardrobe out into three piles: keep, charity, and for anything that can’t be repaired or is too stained take it to the textiles bank at your local recycling plant.

Go swimming.

Make a playlist of your favourite songs and put it on whenever you’re feeling down or when you need motivation to get the housework done. Turn it up loud!

 Jot down something you’re grateful for-every day.  It will help you enjoy the little things more.

 Get your hair done.

 Give someone a phone call. Just because.

Visit somewhere new.

Decorate some rocks and leave for others to find and re-hide. 'Norfolk Rocks' was huge over last summer and brought a lot of smiles to my children when they discovered new rocks. They've even started writing to a little boy in America after finding his rock in Waterloo Park.