MAKE THIS THE WEEK YOU...

BEAT THE JANUARY BLUES

LOVE ORANGE

TODAY is Blue Monday, officially the most miserable day of the year. And wearing winter colours such as black and brown is unlikely to help. Orange, however, is associated with improved concentration, alertness and helping overcome feelings of dread. Brighter colours may also help how others view you. Studies found sports teams in black have more penalties against them than players in different hues.

EMBRACE YOUR NEIGHBOURHOOD

SCIENTISTS have found that going to a local bar or pub can increase feelings of contentment, not because of alcohol, but from being part of a group. Research suggests anywhere that makes you feel more a part of your area can brighten your mood. Chat over the fence to your neighbour, join the library, talk to your shopkeepers or go to church.

EAT CHOCS . . . SLOWLY

THERE is evidence that a little chocolate eaten ‘mindfully’ might make you happier. When scientists asked a group of people to mindfully eat some crackers and then to mindfully eat a small piece of chocolate, they found those who ate the crackers had no improvement in their happiness, but those who really enjoyed the chocolate did.

BUY YOUR HUSBAND A GYM MEMBERSHIP

STUDIES have found that women whose husbands work out are less likely to feel down. Even better, get active yourself — but you don’t have to join him in the gym. A brisk 30-minute walk can boost feel-good endorphins and increase exposure to daylight, a lack of which is thought to contribute to the January blues.

PLAY THE BLUES

RESEARCHERS in Australia found those who regularly go to concerts, musicals or dances, feel higher levels of happiness. And listening often to music has been found to boost happiness in just two weeks. Blues can calm you, rock can give you some zip and classical music can be uplifting. But country music has been linked to depression.