Are you feeling a bit down, sad or even darn right depressed?
Well you are not alone. The this time of year, specifically the third Monday in January has been calculated and reported to be the most depressing time of the year. Here are the biggest contributing factors:
- Life lacks its sparkle and shine, after all the hustle and bustle of celebrating the holidays with friends and family. January can really feel a bit lack luster.
- Old man winter really wears you down. Not only is this the darkest time of the year, but most likely the coldest, dreariest, wettest and most miserable.
- The worry and weight of mounting debt brought on by your holiday splurge-spending spree comes crashing down when those credit card bills start arriving.
- This time of the year is meant for a little hibernation and deep reflection, but for most of us that only makes you wish you could just crawl back under the covers and hide.
- By week 3 most resolutions have fallen by the wayside causing you to feel angry, defeated and disappointment with yourself.
OK. That’s the reality of the “bad” news. The GOOD news is you are not alone and you can do something about it
- Let the Light in – Sounds simple but scientifically you can improve the way you feel by just absorbing more light. The circadian rhythm, the body’s internal biological clock that governs brain wave activity and hormone production, gets really out of whack this month from lack of sun and increased darkness. – Turn on the lights or go soak up the sun any chance you get.
- Ditch the Drag – Stop doing something you don’t enjoy. Is there something that you just don’t like to do or resist completely? Chances are it totally zaps your energy and stresses you out more than it benefits you. Find another way to get it done or produce the result you want, if you can. If not you may have to evaluate if it’s even something you truly want or need. And if not, just let it go.
- Try Something New – Is there some hobby or interest that you have that you haven’t pursued yet? Time to take a class, research & read up on the topic or join a group. Our brains love to learn and experience new things. Getting your focus onto something new will help take your blues away.
- Give a Little – One of the best ways I find to shift my mood is to do something for someone else. Take the focus off me and making it about others. Volunteer, do random acts of kindness. Being of service in some way for some one, will not only warm your heart, but it will also bring a smile to your face and someone else’s too.
- Move your Body – Scientific proof tells us that exercise and movement improves your mood. There is a direct connection between your brain, your body and your emotions. So get up, take a walk, dance around your living room, or go exercise at the gym. I doesn’t matter what it is as long as you just do some sort of physical movement. Move your way right into feeling better.
The last way you can shake the blues is to join us in my upcoming Happiness Boot Camp. It’s a 6-week coaching program designed to shed patterns that keep you down, instill new practices that bring you greater joy in the everyday and create community, connection and support through the process. If you think this might be just the thing for you, please email me at me@lisa-hall.com for more details.