The third Monday in January is often billed as the most depressing day of the year.
The Christmas festivities are a distant memory, and new year’s resolutions have probably already been broken.
But rather than making life more of a struggle, there are five ways you can lift your mood and improve your wellbeing – without having to make dramatic changes to your lifestyle.
The five ways to wellbeing are:
- Connect – with people around you, including friends, family, colleagues and neighbours. Good relationships give you a sense of belonging and self-worth, as well as providing emotional support.
- Be active – whether it is going for run or walk, gardening, playing a game or dancing around the kitchen. Being active can raise your self-esteem, help you to set goals you can achieve and cause chemical changes in your brain that can positively change your mood.
- Take notice – savour the moment and make the effort to be more aware of the world around you and what you are feeling. Mindfulness can help you enjoy life more and understand yourself better.
- Learn – try something new or rediscover an old interest. It will help boost your self-confidence, give you a sense of purpose and help you connect with others.
- Give – do something nice for someone else, volunteer or say thank you. Acts of giving and kindness can create a sense of reward, give you a feeling of purpose and self-worth and help you connect with others.
The five ways to wellbeing have been adopted by the NHS and mental health charity Mind following evidence that the steps improve people’s mental health and wellbeing.
