Boo-hoo wahhhhh Christmas is officially over, but don't you dare sit there in those January blues!
So, the Christmas fun is officially over. It almost feels that now that the year is over we can start again, we can begin a new year as a different person. If only that was so easy huh?
It's almost as if I hope to feel different each time another year comes to an end and another begins, but I actually feel physically sick because I'm another year older and it's another year where the pressure intensifies. I'm learning to control my thoughts before my brain becomes so overwhelmed it may combust, I have to give myself a good talking to. I have to tell myself I'm human, I can only do so much. You have to let yourself stop for breath, but unfortunately we suddenly start thinking how our lives should be set up. We start thinking and imagining why aren't our lives sorted and perfect right this minute? Why has Cindy that girl on instagram got everything, that fancy car, that perfect relationship, why has she got that amazing career? Why is she at yet another event? Look at her followers, look how flawless she looks in every photo she posts and omg would you just look at her never ending wardrobe and wait what I'm still sitting here in my Pjs picking wotsits out my hair watching Prison Break on loop.
Let me just stop you there, you are doing fine right this very minute. Your heart is beating, we all have our own journeys, our own desires, our own needs.. our own dreams! Not one person will ever want the EXACT same as the other. Give yourself a break. Yes, yes I know you are reading this thinking I have read this somewhere before blah blah blah *rolls eyes* but believe me it is true. You are you and only you can be you so sweetie give yourself a break.
Breathe for a minute...
Yes beginning a new year is scary, it's indeed overwhelming and our brains can only absorb so much before it feels like it's about to combust!
This time of year is unbelievably the worst for me especially as someone who deals with anxiety and stress. If I'm honest I'm craving a sunny day that will help me wish it all away. I've decided to take a new approach and I want to help anyone out there beat those January blues. Of course it's more than that if you're like me, someone who suffers with anxiety. But there are techniques and tips out there that can ease the pressure even just a little bit. Here's my top tips to help you keep the pressure off and the best thing is you won't even need a debit or credit card ;)
Write lists
Whether it's a to do list on a day to day basis, a shopping list, a bucket list or even a list of compliments to yourself - get it down on paper, on your phone, on post it notes - any way that helps YOU! I feel lists really help clear my thoughts, it helps me organise everything in my head so I can think clearly again. Every morning (after you have had a cuppa or that 5th cup of coffee) why not write a list of everything you need to do that day, even the simplest of things like walk the dog and phone Amy. It will help ease the pressure inside your head, writing it down helps a great amount.. trust me!
Exercise
I believe in exercising at least 3-4 days a week. Of course busy schedules and everyday lives can get in the way of this. But exercise doesn't have to be intense or straining, you can add it to your daily routine really easily. Maybe start a stretching routine when you wake up, walk a bit further than you normally would. Get up 10-15 minutes earlier every other day and do some squats or even jog on the spot. Whether you exercise for 10 minutes or 1 hour. It all counts until you can build it up to workout for longer, it could be as simple as walking or yoga. You have to find what is best for you and not everyone can afford to go to the gym or buy a treadmill. *Shaun T voice* Use your own body as the equipment then you don't even have to spend a penny! YouTube can also be your best friend - I recommend using XHIT - a channel full of FREE exercises and workouts. It is free and it has workouts from just 5 minutes to as long as you need. Create your own workout by creating your own playlist on your own channel. You get to take control! Exercise really helps me when I'm feeling stressed, any negative energy that's built up throughout the day just fades away. I tend to exercise in the late afternoon - evening as I hate early mornings and it takes me hours to wake up. Do things your way, find what works best for you. Don't set impossible unrealistic goals. If you have to drink 5 coffees before you even start to feel human every morning then working out in the morning isn't for you. Remember you have control, do things YOUR way!
Do simple things you enjoy
You need to do things on a day to day basis that put a smile on your face - whether it's dancing around your bedroom for 10 minutes to your favourite song before you head out to work or watching your favourite programme on loop before bedtime. I am guilty of doing this every single night, but you know what it makes me feel happy in that moment so it's okay! Maybe you enjoy watching funny videos on Facebook on a long journey home. If it makes you feel safe, content and puts a smile on your face it's working. And also you must remember that you can't always rely on others to make you smile, you need to be able to make yourself smile!
Talk to people
Whatever you do, do not isolate yourself away from the world. This is one of the worst things you can do as you end up feeling completely alone and this is when negative thoughts build up in your head. Talk to people even if it's just Bob in the street on the dog walk for just a teeny tiny 5 minutes, make that phone call to someone, send a text or comment on that Facebook status. It's not always easy to find someone to talk to but if you communicate with at least one person a day it will help your sanity. It is so easy these days to actually talk to someone, sometimes we forget that. Look at all the social media and apps you can download. It doesn't even have to cost you a penny. Sometimes all you need is a wifi connection, if you do not have internet at home - maybe you can go to a local café and use their FREE wifi just to drop a message on Facebook to someone, or maybe you want to even type up an email.. but remember to actually send it!
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