'Happy New...Ugh..'

The Parties are over, the festive season has come to an end and we are left with a hangover and an expanded waistline...to say the least! All you want to do is crawl back into bed and stay there until spring. If only beating the january blues could be so simple. So, how can we beat the New Year blues?

Regular exercise:

This is the best way to release the 'happy hormones'. Eating chocolate to feel better in the dark and cold January weather isn't the best option (albeit the most tempting). If you don't feel like going out for a run in the January rain and wind, try some yoga instead. It is a much gentler form of exercise and it wont be so hard on your joints.

Detox with healthy food:

Try not to go on a crash diet. It will not do you any good and you will put your body under more pressure than it can handle. It is already dealing with the effects of excess so you need to change your diet in the correct way. Eat healthy foods that are rich in antioxidants (such as berries) and only eat essential fats such as omega 3 which can be found in fish. This will also help to boost brain power and mental alertness.

Drink water:

Speaking of alertness, the best way to detox and boost mental alertness is to drink water regularly. Over 80% of your body is water and over the christmas period, you may have becomes dehydrated due to the effects of drinking too much alcohol. Not only that, drinking water is great for your skin tone and complexion.You don't need to spend money on facials when all you need to do is drink water!

New Years Resolutions:

Now is the time to set goals and make plans. If you have a goal, it will help you to stay focused and it will make the darker days more bearable. Financially speaking, January may not be the best time to set a new course in motion but it is good to have a think about the changes you want to make. You are much more likely to achieve your goals if you have given thought to how you are going to do it. Make the most of January!

Dealing with debt:

January is debt month. There is no denying it. Bills come through the door and firmly establish the reality 'cheque' of Christmas spending. It has to be paid back and it can make you feel so depressed when you open that monthly statement. Create a financial plan and prioritise your debt repayments in order of importance. Don't ignore it as mounting bills have the potential to create more stress than they are worth.

A very Happy New Year to everyone!