January 15, 2016
How to overcome the new year slump

We’re well into 2016 and the festivities are far behind us, which means you may be experiencing a severe case of the January blues. Getting back into work after the holidays can really take its toll on your mood, especially with few upcoming events to look forward to. Rather than focus on the negative though, get into gear and overcome the new year slump.
There are a number of ways to forget about the fact that Christmas is over. It all starts with a positive outlook. So hold your head up high and look forward to what this new year will bring. Here are a few tips to live by:
Try something new
If there’s something that you’ve always wanted to try, but never got round to, now is the perfect time to take it up. Whether it’s a hobby such as ballroom dancing, singing lessons or a cookery course, there really is no reason why you shouldn’t take the plunge and sign up.
You may find that you don’t enjoy a particular class as much as you expected to, but that’s okay because many courses allow you to take part in an introductory ‘taster’ lesson before you fully commit. This ‘try before you buy’ approach means you don’t lose out on money and can find something else to take part in that you’ll really enjoy.
Focus on the positive
Everyone has good and bad days, but it’s easy to fall into the trap of focusing on the bad more than the good. This can leave you feeling down and unmotivated. So rather than focus on the negative, consider how you can change it into something positive.
You may find that it helps to write down your positive thoughts in a notebook and read them out loud when you begin to lose faith or feel a little sad. This fresh outlook on the future will leave you feeling more content, which will work wonders for your self-esteem and encourage you to get out and make a change.
Say yes more
If 2015 was filled with you saying no to lots of opportunities and plans, make this year the one where you say yes more.
This means that you are ready to do things head-on without feeling wracked with guilt over turning offers down. You’ll also find that saying yes allows you to spend more time around the people you care about.
While it’s great to be more open, it should be noted that it’s still okay to say no. Taking on too much at once can cause you to feel burned out and exhausted. So if you’ve had a really long day and you want nothing more than to step into a nice hot bath, be honest and tell your friends that you can’t make dinner plans!
Get fit
There’s no way you can overcome the new year slump if you spend your free time sat on the sofa feeling sorry for yourself. Instead, get active and keep fit.
Exercising helps to clear your mind and leave you feeling energised. It’s also a great stress reliever, so next time you feel tense or frustrated, go for a swift jog and take in the fresh air.
If you really want to stay on top of your health and lifestyle, why not download the dacadoo app? This enables you to track and monitor your progress, providing you with the motivation to reach your goals.