January can be a hard month for all of us – the lights and decorations have been taken down, the excitement of Christmas and the new year is over and for many of us, the holly jolly feeling of December may be replaced by financial and emotional strain.

But…January can be a positive month; we just need to adapt our mindset about it all.

New Beginnings

The new year brings a time for clarity and rejuvenation. It allows us to leave past experiences behind us, move on and plan for new experiences and fresh starts. Like the first page of your new 2023 diary, you have a fresh new, blank page to start writing your better, more positive future.

Within the Mind Of My Own One app take some time to complete ‘Planning for Adulthood’ – consider your aspirations, goals and dreams for the year and the support you may need to achieve them.

Daylight hours

The days are getting longer now after the Winter Solstice. By the 20th of February, we will be gaining 3 minutes a day! You’ll soon start to see the difference in the mornings and evenings. Take the opportunity to open the curtains, have a walk outside and get some Vitamin D. Natural light wards off seasonal depression and improves your sleep.

Express gratitude

You may have been lucky enough to have been thoroughly spoilt at Christmas and have already sent your thank you cards, but it is not really the presents that we should be grateful for! Find gratitude for the small things: a sunrise, a sunset, nature, your favourite music track, time with your loved ones, a home, warmth…Each day write down 5 things that you are grateful for.

Furthermore, share your gratitude with your trusted adults but completing the ‘Share my good news’ topic on the Mind Of My Own One app.

Keep in contact and connect with others

It is not only in January that we need to focus on our mental health, we need to do so all year round. Keep in contact with your friends, family and trusted adults. Pick up the phone for a phone or video call, drop a note to someone or use the Mind Of My Own app to communicate your feelings with your trusted adults. Ask for help if you need to.

Wellbeing = Good Mental Health

Find time to put your well-being at the forefront:

Breathe: Deep breathing helps reduce cortisol and increases serotonin and dopamine which can in turn reduce stress and anxiety.

Sing! Research has shown that singing reduces stress, improves memory and helps with mental health. We all know how good it is to put our favourite song on and sing along like a pro! Listening to positive music can improve our mood and engaging in music by singing or playing instruments is more effective than listening alone. Even better, you do not need to be good at it to reap the rewards!

Exercise: dance, go for a walk/run on your own or with a friend, take up a new exercise – but get your body moving and boost your self-esteem and the feel-good chemicals in your brain.

Mindfulness: In the busy world that we live in today take the time to be in the moment. Many of the suggestions above will help, but find something that allows you to be present in the moment.

And do not forget you can always use the ‘My wellbeing’ scenario to help communicate your well-being to others.