1.  Get learning
Now that the winter nights are approaching, maybe it’s time to fill your evenings with a new study course. A new language, computer skills, photography? Learning a new skill is a great way to boost your happiness and confidence and who knows - you may soon be giving up the day job! Check out your local library for more details.

 

 

 

2.  Widen your circle of friends
You know how you meet the same person at the station every morning, nod, smile but don’t have a conversation? Find a way to break the ice and find out about them. Sit together on the train and try to strike up a conversation. Who knows, you could have just made a new friend with lots of common interests!

3.  Little and often
It’s the golden rule when it comes to enjoying your food. Eat when you’re hungry, not just because it’s lunchtime and everybody else in the office is heading to the chipper! Most people prefer to eat several small meals rather than three big ones. See if this suits your lifestyle and find ways to work it into your everyday activities.

4.  Recognise stress
before it hits Signs of stress are obvious on our bodies so if you learn to recognise them then you’ll be able to combat stress before it all gets too much! Watch out for difficulty sleeping, headaches, bad digestive system, sweaty palms, chest, back and shoulder pain. Take some time out and focus on what may be causing this stress so that you can reduce it through relaxation and communication.

 

 

 

5.  Get a good night’s sleep

We are all different when it comes to sleep - some people thrive on six hours while others cannot function without nine. Your body will tell you what’s right for you. Avoid caffeine before bedtime, have a bath to encourage sleep, drink milk, dim the lights and turn off the TV in your bedroom. Soon you’ll develop a good sleep routine which will banish the 3pm slump forever!

6.  Listen to music
Music has always had the power to soothe. Make sure you make space for music in your life. If you can make music, or sing, all the better. Music creates a world into which you can escape from time to time to rest. So put on your favourite CD, turn down the lights and turn up the volume and enjoy!

7.  Prioritise

The time manager’s mantra is always to do the most important things first. Remember that it is perfectly acceptable to sometimes make things a priority purely because you enjoy them. So don’t feel guilty if you have to say no to a friend or family member because you have booked some ‘me’ time for yourself this weekend.

8.  Healing honey
With winter on our heels, there are bound to be plenty of flus and colds and sore throats in the air. If you have a sore throat, try taking some honey as a natural healer. Honey has powerful antimicrobial properties, which can soothe your raw tissues. Swallow a teaspoon of honey every few hours until symptoms clear up. Due to its anti-inflammatory effect, honey will help to heal wounds more quickly. It also has different phytochemicals - chemicals found in plants and different foods - that kill viruses, bacteria and fungus, making it a good substitute for wound dressings.