Have you got the February blues?
Posted on 24th February 2016 at 07:45
Are you feeling bored? Unmotivated? Wanting to throw the alarm clock out of the window and snuggle down for a little extra uninterrupted “duvet time”?
If so, you may have a case of the February blues!
Traditionally January is the month when Doctors expect to see more cases of “the blues”. What with all the chickens coming home to roost after Christmas (!), not to mention credit card bills and short winter days.
However, in our experience, February is the month when we tend to see more of “the blues.” And this year, with the added joys of the ever changing weather and grey days, our phones have been unusually busy.
So, this week, we thought we’d give you a few quick and simple ways to instantly break the “blues cycle” and get you smiling again.
And, “no”, we’re not talking about industrial quantities of caffeine / nicotine / alcohol / sugar fix / fill in your own choice. They may give you a short term fix but are they worth the subsequent low? Let alone guilt.
Oh and the best bit is that they work just as well on one person as a group, so you can get everyone joining in – at home or work!
Sing along with your favourite CHEERFUL song
NOT one that’s all “doom, gloom and despondency”. And preferably at full volume. With or without friends. For some reason we’ve never been able to fathom singing always sounds better if you’re on your own in the car or bath, so why not experiment?
Go and play
Not competitive games and sports, but the things you used to do as a child. Silly board games. Make believe. Bounce on the trampoline.
As adults we’ve forgotten how to just “be” and have fun. But, really, what’s life about if not to have fun?!?
Do something creative and, even better, messy too
Doodle, paint, colour. Perhaps a craft like knitting or woodwork. Cook something fun and new. It really doesn’t matter what it is, just enjoy doing it!
Skip, with or without, a rope
If you haven’t done this for a while, it’s a guaranteed way to be smiling within a couple of minutes. And good exercise too!
Spend time with a four footed friend
Having a pet – or spending time with one – really does make you feel good.
And, if it’s a dog, having to go out for a walk – even on a dark winter’s day – does make a huge difference to how you feel. Not only the exercise, but the fresh air and natural light helping to reset your body clock.
If you prefer something more “grown up” here are a few more ideas:
Wear something bright
Colours really do affect how you feel, trust us. So often at this time of year everyone is in dark colours. Try feeling bright and cheerful dressed top to toe in black. Or grey. Navy Blue. Or dark brown. It just doesn’t work. Dark colours = darker spirits.
So why not go for a bright scarf or jumper? It really does make a huge difference.
Have a little pampering
How about a massage or facial? Sauna or steam room? A new haircut? Or something completely different. The choice is yours!
Take a few minutes out
Go somewhere quiet, preferable outside and take a few deep breaths. Let your shoulders drop down from under your ears (!). Empty your mind of all the day to day madness and just “be”. Watch the clouds, listen to the birds and enjoy this wonderful world of ours.
And, if you’ve got a bit more time, go for a walk
Watch or read something inspiring, uplifting or just makes you laugh
Whatever you choose, make sure it has a happy ending and makes you smile!
Get excited about something
Think back to when you started something new. Remember how excited you felt about it and the possibilities.
Come back to the present day and think about something that would really get your creative juices flowing. It doesn’t matter what it is. Whether it’s big or small, goes anywhere or not. Just go and start doing it! Enjoy it. Have fun with it.
Do something nice for someone
Helping someone else feels great – and helps them too. What more could you want?
Give the news and papers a miss
Sadly, the media these days is wall to wall “gloom, doom and despondency” so why not give them a miss for a few days? Focus only on good news stories instead.
Will this make you out of touch? No, of course not – and you’ll feel 100% better in the process. If you want to know what’s really going on use the independent internet news sites instead.
We’re sure you’ve got some tricks of your own, but these should get you started.
As always, the choice is yours.
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