How to Cope with January Blues
Are you suffering from the January blues? Affinity Health recommends these tips on how to survive this infamously long and stressful month.
January is often dubbed “the most depressing month of the year”, and it’s not difficult to see why. The bills start rolling in from all those generous gifts you gave back when you felt festive during the holidays. Your New Year’s resolutions start slipping away as you fall back into bad habits. And the thought of tackling yet another year balancing life, family, and work plays a toll on your stress levels.
With one in six South Africans suffering from depression, it’s crucial that mental health and wellbeing takes centre-stage this month.
Here are some top tips, courtesy of Affinity Health, on how you can practice some self-care and learn how to best look after your mental health not only in January but all year round!
Ditch the resolutions and focus on goals instead:
Resolutions set you up for disappointment, causing people to lose motivation and feel depressed. Working on short-term goals can help track progress, which can improve your mood.
Get outside as much as possible:
It’s tough to go from spending summer days soaking up the sun to being office-bound. Take breaks during your workday and go outside if you can.
Take small steps to keep active and fit:
Exercise can improve mental health by reducing anxiety, depression, and negative mood. By increasing feel-good hormones, keeping active can improve self-esteem and alleviate social withdrawal.
Sleep well:
Lack of sleep can affect your psychological state and mental health. Getting enough sleep can help regulate our emotions in the long run.
Take some time out to yourself:
This is not to be mistaken to mean isolating yourself. There’s a marked difference between loneliness and alone time. Spending time by yourself can help to realign your energy and focus.
Clear the clutter:
Spring-cleaning is good for the soul. Clear out everything that’s clutter in your home and work environment. Remove anything that is contributing to negative thoughts in your life. Unfriend, unfollow, and unlike pages and people that are negative.
Find a new hobby:
Do you want to learn a new language, practice yoga, start a book club, play a musical instrument, or start painting? Do it!
Make a list of your goals and dreams:
Create your life plan that outlines where you want your life to be in one, five, ten, and 25 years and what you need to do to get there.
Straighten out your finances:
Take a look at your money coming in and the money going out. Are you happy with it? How can you refresh your budget?
Ensure your health is protected:
Invest in health insurance like Affinity Health to protect you and your family from unexpected, high medical costs. With Affinity Health, you’ll pay less for covered in-network health care and get free preventive care.
About Affinity Health
Affinity Health is South Africa’s leading provider of health insurance, offering you a range of options at affordable rates including access to the widest national provider network. We understand the importance of having medical insurance that meets your needs, your budget, and your lifestyle. Our range of healthcare products are designed to protect you and your family when it matters the most. We strive to give our clients peace of mind and the highest standard of service at all times. For more information, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
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