January might not be the most inspiring of months but it's the perfect opportunity to recharge for the year ahead. By prioritising your wellbeing and indulging in a little self-care, even the gloomiest of January days should feel a little bit brighter. We've rounded up some simple rituals to ease you through the first month of the year..
1. Add cheerful touches to your home
Christmas isn't the only time of the year to add joy to your home through decoration. There is plenty of benefit in adding small but meaningful touches around your home – this could be anything from your favourite scented candle to an ornament that reminds you of a happy memory.
“Many people struggle throughout January for several different reasons – it’s the coldest month of the year and you’re often battling the post-Christmas comedown. These are just some of the reasons self-care becomes imperative, and I’m a huge believer that you can take care of yourself via your home interior,” says Tracey Hague, Director of Where Saints Go.
“January can be a tough month in terms of money for many, but self-care doesn’t have to be expensive. Adorn your interior with faux houseplants for minimal maintenance and uplifting greenery, place diffusers of your favourite scent on shelves and light a scented candle during the long, dark evenings.”
2. Try to get outside
There’s no doubt about it, getting outside is one of the cheapest, easiest and most accessible ways of making ourselves feel better. You don’t have to spend hours on a countryside hike to feel the benefits, either. According to the mental health charity, Mind, “even small amounts of time in nature can boost our mood. Try spending five minutes paying attention to nature. You can do this outdoors or in your home.”
They continue: “Try different nature activities to find things you enjoy and that you can fit into your daily life. Try not to worry if something does not work for you. You might like to sit under a tree, look at the stars or do art activities in natural spaces.”
Instead of sitting inside with your morning coffee, fill up a reusable flask and take your drink with you whilst you go for a short walk. Or, find a brand new route to walk your dog, taking in new sights as you go. You could even sign up to go plogging – a physical activity that involves picking up litter whilst you jog.
3. Use scent to uplift your mood
Scent not only triggers memory, but it also helps to regulate and inform our mood. By treating yourself to a new diffuser, bath oil, or candle, you make your home a little bit more luxurious – just what you need during hibernation season. It’s also a lovely way of uplifting or relaxing you, depending on the scent you choose.
The fragrance experts at M&S, say: “Floral scents, often associated with nature, are perfect for reducing stress so are best lit in a cosy snug whilst you while away time curled up with a good book.
“If you’re feeling stuck in a rut whilst working from home, try lighting a citrus candle as this can help with motivation and feeling more alert. The citrus family is refreshing and zesty with sparkling top notes including lemon, bergamot, mandarin and grapefruit.”
4. Explore a new craft
As you’re likely to spend a lot of time indoors during January, it’s the perfect time to try out a new pastime, particularly crafts. The Crafts Council says: “Craft can alleviate the symptoms of anxiety, depression, loneliness and even dementia.” So, not only will you keep busy and learn a new skill, but you’ll also improve your mental health.
This was confirmed by the BBC Arts Great British Creativity Test in 2019, which involved nearly 50,000 participants. The test found that getting creative can help avoid stress, free up mind space and improve self-development, which in turn, helps build self-esteem. The project was led by Dr Daisy Fancourt, a senior research fellow at UCL. She says that when it comes to getting creative: “You don't have to take part for a long time for it to have benefits – you get benefits from single sessions.
"We also found that talent doesn't affect this relationship. It's not about being good at it – it's genuinely the taking part that counts.”
Tabletop crafts are well-suited to trying out at home, as they can be tidied away and don’t take up too much space, or require too much equipment. Embroidery and cross-stitch are wonderful options, as are knitting, crocheting, painting, and hand-building pottery with air-drying clay. Many craft kits are now available that contain everything you need to see a project from start to finish.
For additional support and information on mental health issues, contact your GP, call Samaritans (116 123), or visit mind.org.uk.
The Link LonkJanuary 01, 2023 at 04:00PM
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Soothing self-care tips to make January a little easier - Country Living
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