Dealing with post-holiday blues or a case of the winter blahs?
Try a few of these tips to help boost your emotional health even on days when you’re feeling overwhelmed.
1 Minute Tip: Take a dance break! One of the most popular stocking stuffers last year was a plastic button that played 30 seconds of dance music anytime it was pushed. While the button is a great (and inexpensive) visual reminder to take a break throughout the day, you can achieve the same thing by setting a few alarms on your phone or AI-driven personal assistant that tell you it’s time to stop, stand up and dance to your favorite tune.
5 Minute Tip: Write down the three highlights of your day. Similar to keeping a gratitude journal but with a slightly different perspective, thinking through your day and documenting three things that brought you joy, satisfaction or made you laugh is a great way to wind down your day on a positive note.
15 Minute Tip: Sit or stand in the sun. Research shows that just 10-15 minutes of sun every day is enough to help elevate your mood and increase vitamin D levels. Early morning sun is best, but a break anytime of the day will help. Don’t forget to wear sunscreen!
30 Minute Tip: Too busy to send out holiday cards last month? Make up for it by sending Happy New Years cards now. No need to include a long message or family news update – but just writing a quick personalized note is a great way to relieve stress and instantly boost your mood. Bonus: it’s a great way to make the recipient’s day as well!
This article first appeared in the January 2025 edition of the HealthPerks newsletter.
