I wanted to share these mental and physical health tips from Fishpools with you as they have some excellent ideas of ways to de-stress in the new year, and recover from the festive frenzy. I’ve been enjoying a lot of me-time this month (usually at night and first thing in the morning) reading, listening to audiobooks and giving myself mini facials. I’ve also cut back on some subscription services that I hardly used last year, and so were just taking money out of my bank account for no reason. I’ve swapped them for ones I will use, for example, Netflix and Graze.
If you are finding this month tough, maybe this will be of assistance- tips to help you de-stress in January for a new, relaxed you that feels better for the year ahead…
A Good Night’s Sleep
The number one way to de-stress is to ensure you get a good night’s sleep (ideally eight hours or more). A comfortable bed helps ensure you gain maximum benefits from your sleep, so consider investing in a high quality mattress, such as a Vi Spring mattress, so you will wake up refreshed and alert. We spent a third of our lives in bed, so it’s worth treating yourself to a good quality, comfortable mattress.
Exercise
With all the rich, tasty foods on offer, most of us over indulge at Christmas, and that can leave us feeling bloated and down in January. Exercise is a proven stress buster so you will be boosting your mood as well as shedding the pounds; making it doubly important. Remember, you don’t have to be a gym member to get regular exercise- some great ways to build it into your schedule include getting off your bus a few stops early and walking, cycling or walking instead of driving for short journeys, going for a jog in the morning or going for a stroll during your lunch break at work.
Make Time for Yourself
During the festive season, you’ve probably spent a lot of time with family and friends. While it’s enjoyable to socialise, it can also be quite draining when you’re spending time in the company of several other people for long periods. Now it’s January, unwind with a bit of alone time. Whether it’s a nice long bath with relaxing oils, such as camomile or lavender, or a luxurious facial at a local spa, having some ‘me time’ will help you to de-stress. If pampering isn’t your thing, try to plan some time into your schedule where you can just sit and read; any time spent doing activities such as these can help you to chill out after the busy festive period.
Consider Meditation
If you’ve never tried meditation before, why not make this the year that you do. Simply by breathing deeply and following some simple relaxation techniques, you can meditate at home. Meditation can help to reduce stress and improve clarity of thinking. Try to set aside a little time to meditate on a regular basis to get the best benefit from this technique.
Take Care of Your Finances
The cost of Christmas is a major cause of stress for some people, and many of us spend January paying for it. Why not make your New Year resolution to budget better, to avoid the same kind of stress at the end of this year. One great idea is to spread the cost of Christmas by putting a little aside each month; to avoid having to pay a large amount out in one go.
The main thing about keeping your stress levels down is to remember that the above tips are not just for January; but for any time you feel that things are starting to get on top of you.
Photo Credit: benjaminasmith via photopin cc
