January can make even the most positive of us feel down in the dumps. Over indulgence during the holiday season followed by cold and grey days can really hit our energy levels and leave us feeling unmotivated and tired.
On top of it all, many of us tend to put additional pressure on ourselves by signing up to unrealistic resolutions…ones that mainly involve denying ourselves things we like. Whilst we are all about making healthy choices at OMGTea, we also believe in treating yourself no matter what time of year it is. This year we are rejecting the resolution in favour of small changes we can make to look after ourselves and even squeeze in some treats during what can be one of the toughest months of the year. Here is our list of ways this can be done and some of the ones we are doing ourselves:
- If possible, walk or bike to work instead of driving or taking public transport. In our office, Tiffany is doing this and says: “My walk is about 30 minutes and gives me time to listen to my favourite music and Podcasts whilst also getting some exercise in. I am only a couple of days in to my new routine but I already notice a difference in overall energy levels and positivity with the added bonus of saving money at the same time.”
- Take the time to read a good book. Take yourself out of the day to day for a bit and escape into someone else’s world. “One sheds one’s sickness in books,” DH Lawrence once wrote – and indeed research in the past has shown that just six minutes of reading can be enough to reduce stress levels by more than two thirds. With 2018 being such a busy year for Katherine, she didn’t have much time to read for enjoyment. This is something she has missed so Katherine has set herself a goal of reading at least one book of fiction this month.
- Try at least one new thing this month. We often let fear (of the unknown, the investment, not succeeding, etc.) stop us from trying new things but going outside of our comfort zones is actually good for us. Trying new things allows us to grow and learn – about both the new thing we have tried and about ourselves. This could be as simple as trying a new food learning a new skill or hobby or as adventurous as travelling to a new country. New experiences can be exciting and energising and as reported by TIME in speaking with psychologist Rich Walker, who looked at countless event memories: “People who engage in a variety of experiences are more likely to retain positive emotions and minimize negative ones than people who have fewer experiences.”
- Do something kind for others. When we do good for others, the recipients of our kindness aren’t the only ones reaping the benefits. Giving back has an effect on our bodies with studies showing that when people donated to charity, the mesolimbic system, the portion of the brain responsible for feelings of reward, was triggered. The brain also releases feel-good chemicals and spurs you to perform more kind acts – something psychologists call “helper’s high”. Donations don’t have to be in the form of money though. Why not donate your time to a cause you’re passionate about. People who volunteer have been found to have higher self-esteem and overall well-being. Experts explain that as feelings of social connectedness increase, so does our self-esteem.
- Treat yourself. Whether it is quiet time during your daily cup of Matcha, a long bath, a day out doing something you love or time with family or friends, make sure you take time to treat yourself to things you enjoy. Be kind to yourself – a Stanford scientist’s research has shown that self-compassion and building a better, kinder relationship with yourself can improve your reactions to failure and your ability to pursue success. Expressing love to yourself via small gifts = success. Sounds good to us!
These are just a few ideas that have resonance with us. Whatever way works best for you, try not to set unrealistic goals that you will struggle to keep. No one likes to feel like they’ve failed and it can lead to giving up on the goal altogether. Instead, try setting smaller bite size goals with a short timeline. The momentum achieved by reaching them can increase motivation further. Whatever you choose, we wish you the best of luck and would like to offer you a little OMGtreat to help make January 2019 even more extraordinary with our premium organic matcha. Buy 2 or more tea products and receive 25% off. Simply add the code "EXTRAORDINARY" at checkout for the discount to be applied.
Here's to an extraordinary January and an extraordinary year in 2019!
