Beat the January Blues

With Christmas and New Year festivities behind us, some people find January a bit of an anti-climax and even a gloomy month. Yet it doesn’t have to be that way. How we feel is really up to us... and the things we do influence how we feel. Here are some tips for achieving a positive start to 2007, courtesy of the Association for Coaching.

1. Clear out your wardrobe. Recycle or sell on line your past-their-sell-by-date clothes or the ones you know you’re never going to wear. Just get rid of them. Then wear your ‘best’ clothes every day. By wearing the things that you love and look good in you’ll end up feeling absolutely great.

2. Get moving! Take just 30 minutes every day to walk, jog, or even dance around the house to your favourite music. Get your legs moving and your heart pumping. Not only will you become fitter but exercise like this creates activity in your brain that will give you that ‘feel good’ factor.

3. Get creative! Make a colourful treasure map of what you want to achieve in 2007. Cut out photos, images and words associated with your goals from magazines and cards. Glue them on to a piece of A3 cardboard and display your treasure map where you’ll see it every day and be inspired and motivated to turn your goals into reality.

4. Book lessons to learn that musical instrument you’ve always wanted to play. We all have rhythm in us and making music is a wonderful way to relax, switch off and lift your spirits. Plus you’ll have an exciting adventure of discovery as you make an old ‘wish’ come true.

5. Volunteer! Log onto Do-it.org where you can browse all the opportunities in your area. Helping others is a great way to put your own life into perspective. You’ll also meet new people and make a positive difference to others’ lives at the same time.

6. Get laughing! Buy or borrow DVDs of your favourite comedians and favourite comedy shows. Watch at least one per 24 hours. Humour, smiling and laughter are nature’s anti-depressants. It’s medicine that costs you very little with no charge for repeat prescriptions and definitely no adverse side effects.

7. Write a ‘blessings’ list. Buy a small notebook and, at the end of the day, write down 5 things from the day for which you can be thankful. They could be anything from the glint of sun through dark winter clouds or fitting into those trousers again or getting that new job.

8. Build your blessings book day by day. Not only will you go to sleep on positive feelings, you can always read through your blessings on a not so good day and recharge those excellent feelings.

Follow at least 2 of these tips or mix and match and you’re guaranteed a lively, enjoyable January and great start to 2007.

At the same time, contacting an executive or life coach may be one of the best investments you make in the New Year. The Association for Coaching’s website has a list of approved practitioners who will certainly help you make the very most of your personal and work life, visit Associationforcoaching.com for more information.