Cold weather got you down? It’s time to get your life out of the BIG freeze…read our latest blog!!
Winter isn’t much fun when you’re a grown up. When you’re a kid, snow means snowball fights and days off school. But once you’re older, it’s just traffic chaos and broken boilers. And even when the weather’s better, the nights can still be dark and depressing.
Here’s the good news. With the recession affecting everybody, 2009 was a hard year. Luckily, spring — and economic recovery — is just around the corner. But what do you do if you’re still stuck in winter mode, miserable at the thought of having to get up for the long commute to work, or worse, another hard day job-searching in a difficult climate?
Don’t let the days get you down. Here are Royall Appointments’ top tips for beating the mid-winter blues and putting yourself back in the game, so you’re ready to grab every opportunity when it comes along. The recession’s almost over. It’s time to get back to work or time to grab that new job!
Set targets. Beat them.
Maybe you joined a gym in January. Keep going. If you’ve stopped, that’s no reason not to start again. You don’t have to make your resolutions on January 1st. You’ve got another 364 days every year you can use to restart your life.
Healthy body, healthy mind. Scientists are convinced about the benefits of exercise in beating depression, and we are too. Even a short fifteen minute run can help you kick start your day. And imagine how exhilarating it’ll be when you feel you can go on to twenty minutes, half an hour, or start beating your best time.
The important thing is that you set yourself a challenge, and then achieve it. Every victory is a vital boost to your self-esteem. You could challenge yourself to beat your best score at your favourite sport (yes, bowling and snooker are sports, if you don’t want to get cold and tired!) or finally finish that book you’ve been meaning to read. Maintain an active, positive attitude, and you’ll be amazed at the difference it can make.
I’m okay, how are you?
When someone asks you how you are, you probably say “okay, fine, good.” But think of the positive reaction you’d get if you said “I’m brilliant” instead. Not only is it a confident statement about yourself, it’s a great conversation opener. Tell your friend, your boss, your interviewer, about something that’s happened recently to make you smile. Being positive makes people more likely to want to work with you. Try it. You might be surprised!
Don’t be passive.
People are like emotional banks. Some people, like your friend who always wants to talk about his problems, make withdrawals. Be the sort of person who makes deposits. Ask yourself: do you inspire people? Can you make them laugh? A positive attitude is infectious, the more you lend it out, the more interest you’ll get back!
Stay on top of your game.
Been meaning to tidy your house, your office, your desk? Do it. Make a fresh start. These simple changes can help you get your groove back:
• Bored of your commute? Get off earlier, walk, run or cycle to work.
• Exercise regime becomes a dictatorship? Try something new, like yoga or pilates.
• Treat yourself to some you time. Why not? You deserve it.
• Relax in the sauna or jacuzzi.
• Alcohol. It doesn’t make you feel better. If you’re down, avoid it.
• Invite people over to your place. Make sure you tidy up first!
• You are what you eat. If you want to look and be healthy, eat healthy.
• Never stop learning. No matter how small, make sure you try or learn something new.
Try just a few of these things and we’re sure you’ll soon be on your way back to your happy, summertime self — just go easy on the fake tan. It’s winter! Everybody knows, you know!
27 January 2010, 5:09 pm
