How to stay happy in 2019
Life coach Michelle Zelli spells out 10 ways to have a year with cheer
We’ve just had national Divorce Day and a week tomorrow is Blue Monday, reckoned to be the most depressing day of the year.
No wonder January – with a hike in marriage splits, not to mention the post-christmas blues – is regarded as the bleakest month of all.
But stop right there.
Life coach and behavioural expert Michelle Zelli is here to tell you how to stay happy through 2019.
That means coping with the big spending of December and not letting a broken New Year resolution get you down.
Michelle, from Richmond, South West London, has worked to boost the mood of hundreds of clients. So chin up, and prepare to take in her tips for happiness.
1. Get wild
This is great for the mind, whether you prefer to walk in the park, do some gardening or feed the birds.
Researchers at Derby University conducted a month-long nature challenge and the results were impressive. The number of people reporting their health as excellent increased by 30 per cent by embracing the great outdoors.
There was marked improvement in happiness too, adding to evidence that we need nature for optimal health and wellbeing.
2. ‘Escape’ with a good book
You might not be able to pack your bags and disappear to The Caribbean but you can transport yourself to a heavenly place, just by picking up a book.
Charities such as The Mental Health Foundation and Mind promote reading as a mood booster. If you’re not a great reader, try listening – one in 10 people now prefer audiobooks to paper versions.
3 Get creative and channel your inner kid
Apps like Happify.com and colouring books can unleash your creative side. Creativity helps you connect to your inner child.
Colouring can be therapeutic and help you immerse yourself in the moment. Happify.com encourages you to write as a creative outlet. 4 Don’t forget to smile Physiology dictates your mood, so when you move your mouth upwards, science has proved that your mood will follow. Your body sends signals to your brain to let you know what state you’re in. If my shoulders are rounded and my head is down, I’m telling my body I’m in a slump. So pull back your shoulders, lift your head high and tell your brain you are confident and strong. 5. Be your own best friend Do you believe everything you tell yourself? With 60,000 thoughts a day, most of us have a nasty habit of beating ourselves up with a judgmental and frankly, unkind, inner critic. Kick 2019 off to a great start by speaking to yourself as though you were your best friend – someone who likes and values you. Research suggests that selfacceptance leads to greater satisfaction with our lives.
6. Remove the clutter
Having a clearout of pysical stuff on the outside makes space, shifts energy and feels purposeful.
Whether it be your wardrobe or desk, excess things in your surroundings can have a negative impact on your ability to focus and process information.
Neuroscientists at Princeton University found this is because clutter competes for your attention over the task at hand. So even a simple clearout and tidy-up can set you up for a good year ahead.
7. Go through your photo albums
When you focus on happy memories you naturally induce a feeling of happiness, so go through the thousands of digital photos on your computer to relive your favourite moments.
For a special photo, close your eyes and try to remember the smells or temperature in that moment. The more senses you engage, the happier you will be in that moment. Delete any duff pics and call it another form of decluttering.
8. Eat more high-fluid foods
Go for mood-enhancing foods. Everyone knows they need to drink more water because keeping hydrated is good for the body. Being dehydrated also affects our mood. As well as drinking more, boost your water intake with high-fluid foods like watermelon, pineapple and courgettes. That way you get all your vitamins, roughage and fluids all in one.
Some foods are proven to help boost mood. Walnuts contain high levels of magnesium, which has been linked to reduced symptoms of depression. Dark chocolate in moderation is a mood enhancer.
9. Have a no-moan day
Focus on the positive in everything for a whole day. If we don’t like something we use up energy internally complaining about it.
Instead of getting upset over something you can’t change, like a late train, ask yourself: “What is the benefit here?” Even if it is just listening to two more songs on your phone, think about the exciting or positive repercussions.
It highlights the energy and time we spend in negativity and will help you change moving forward.
10. Dance like no one is watching
Turning up the radio or listening to your favourite playlist can work wonders.
Exercise changes a mood fast as endorphins kick in. It also delivers oxygen and nutrients to your tissues, giving you more energy.
Research shows that HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) works better than longer, less demanding workouts.
But even showing off your best dance moves will have the same effect.