Ah, winter – wonderlands of snow, love-filled holidays, another promising New Year. January is supposed to be a time of new resolutions and self-improvement, right? Unfortunately, this time of year seems to be anything but joyful. The cold weather, short runs of sunlight, and the reality of another year passing make the perfect recipe for feeling down or even depressed.
Don’t let it get to you. You are not alone, and chances are the feelings you have are more self-inflicted than you may think. In the words of Dali Lama,
“Happiness is not something readymade. It comes from your own actions.”
Here are a few things I do to pull myself out of the January blues.
Seed your mind with affirmative thoughts
We have a lot more power to influence and direct the things that happen to us by just working with our mind. Seeding your mind with supporting and productive thoughts for only 15 minutes a day can transform your life.
Connect with people who make you happy
I am the definition of a social butterfly, but when I’m feeling down, I turn inward. I can reject the idea of seeing or speaking to anyone for the alternative of just curling up on my couch to binge watch TV. But, just because I feel that way doesn’t mean it’s always the right thing to do. While you condition yourself to think positive thoughts, also start to identify the people who were around you when you felt your best. Call them, get a bite to eat or a cup of coffee, and connect with them again. Find out what’s going on in their life and let yourself slip away into the naturally good energy that person brings.
Talk about the good
I recently noticed that when someone asks me about my life, I often focus on the challenges that I am facing rather than the blessings. How am I supposed to be happy if I regurgitate negative experiences? Doing this will only make you feel worse. Talk about the positive stuff. It will help remind you of how great things really are and is probably way more interesting to the listener.
Get moving!
Physical activity has a tremendous effect on your mental health. Exercise releases endorphins which lower depression and anxiety, as well as creates new brain cells in the part of the brain responsible for learning and memory.
Do something to improve yourself
Give yourself something to accomplish. Volunteer, update your resume, participate in a workshop or webinar, take an online class, whatever sparks your interest. Just get out there and do something that will help you grow from who you were yesterday.
Follow ProTilly on Instagram, Facebook, or LinkedIn for more tips on how to cultivate a life of happiness and success.
Ready to make a change but not sure where to start?
Schedule a free 30-min consultation today!
