I wrote last week about tips to detox your liver and generally give your system a bit of a flushing out. But what about you mind? January is quite possibly the most depressing month; we’re all skint, we’ve all over indulged over Christmas, the weather is crap and it’s THIRTY ONE days long. It doesn’t even have the decency to be a short month like February. I get down on myself quite regularly, usually on a Sunday when the back to work dread starts creeping in at around lunchtime. So I’ve employed a few wellness strategies, which on the surface may seem obvious, or even odd, but trust me, they will make you feel better.
Get some fresh air – even if it’s raining outside. Go for a short walk, to the corner shop, around the block, to a park, go for a quick run; anything that gets you outside. Daylight hours are scarce in January, make the most of them, release your inhibitions, feel the rain on your skin etc etc
Moisturise – have a bath or shower and slather every inch of our body with moisturiser. Any will do, but if it’s one that smells nice more the better. Then let it soak in before you get dressed. You’ll smell delightful all day, which is automatically lift your mood, but the physical act of putting cream on is like giving yourself a nice big hug all over.
Tidy or clean something – just one thing (but more if you feel inclined). One room, a kitchen cupboard or that top drawer that you just shove all your dead batteries and old mobile phones in. Decluttering your space will declutter your mind and you’ll have a sense of achievement when you’ve finished. I’m a fan of the pomodoro technique if you’re worried you’re going to spend too much of your wellness day cleaning. It doesn’t have to take that long.
Get dressed – I don’t mean in your finest black tie outfit although, hey if that’s what you’re happiest in then go for it. I mean put some proper, would be happy to be seen outside clothes on. Jeans and my favourite hoodie or jumper usually works for me. It just helps get you out of the ‘slobbing around the house’ mood and you’re more likely to be a bit more productive if you’re ready to leave the house at a moments notice.
Listen to your favourite music – whatever that may be. I’ve had a couple of health scares recently. Nothing major (I hope) but what’s it’s meant is, it’s seen me reaching for some uplifting tunes. My current faves are ‘Odds Are’ by Barenaked Ladies and ‘Alright’ by Kendrick Lamar. Because sometimes subtlety doesn’t cut it, you need someone physically singing in your ear that everything’s going to be ok
Eat some fruit – you don’t have to exclusively eat fruit of course, what’s a Sunday in January without a full roast?! But a little bit of your favourite fruit will not only do your body the world of good, but you’ll get a nice little natural sugar kick that will boost the serotonin.
These are just a few things that work for me. It’s easy to fall into that ‘I’m going to stay in my pyjamas and eat frazzles all day’ mindset, and whilst on the outside, that sounds like an ideal Sunday, if I do that, I just end up feeling a bit shit and unproductive by the end of the day. Some days it is an effort to get dressed when you just want to stay in your comfies, but it always makes me feel better in the long run.
All it means is I have a kiwi fruit before my bag of frazzles really – wellness!
