Go to bed and wake up at the same time each day: this will help regulate your sleep patterns. This can help you feel calm and relaxed rather than anxious. When your body is working to a rhythm you are more productive, mentally sharper and emotionally balanced. You also have an abundance of energy all day long.
The quality of your bedroom environment also makes a huge difference in how well you sleep. Create a haven in your bedroom -surround yourself with calming neutral colours and light a candle to help soothe you. Watch a calming scene on your laptop and look at images of beaches and sunsets as these can really relax your mind.
Plug in your speakers for a rich and soothing sound and play soft music. When your mind is less stimulated, you are more open to falling asleep faster and experiencing a deeper sleep.
Top tip 5: Money saver
January is a perfect time to sort out your finances. Use the time to save some money, sort out a budget and even make some money of your own. When your finances are in check you feel a sense of lightness and relief.
Rather than carrying around anxious thoughts about unpaid bills etc., wipe the anxiety away by clearing the mental financial clutter and getting your finances organised. Nip anxious thoughts in the bud by taking the time in January to get your personal books in order.
Consider setting up online banking as this makes it much easier to keep track of your money and expenses, as well as letting you know exactly where you are with your finances, at the click of a mouse. Also, consider playing fun or calming music when you are sorting out your finances - this will make the task seem less daunting.
Top tip 6: Your environment
Make time for yourself. Escape to your bedroom, or relax on the sofa. Install natural mood lifters, flowers and natural light lamps, to help you feel better during the cold winter evenings. Surround yourself with things you like. This always helps lift your mood.
Often we live chaotic lives and have one engagement after another and we can feel burnt out and tired at the end of the day. This can have a negative impact on our general morale and well being.
When you take time out for yourself and have well deserved ‘me’ time, you conserve your energy and focus for the most important person - you. This helps you to pay attention and thought to the things that are important to you and also enables you to relax and recharge.
Use this relaxation time to clear your head. Perhaps you have dreams and aspirations you have always wanted to achieve - think about these and consider what you can do to make them happen.
Top tip 7: Taking up a hobby
Don’t waste your evenings sitting in front of the TV - take up a hobby such as knitting, sewing, painting, crafts (such as making your own birthday cards) or even blogging. Blogging is a great way to organise your thoughts, get feelings out in the open and it allows you to share your views with people who want to read them.
In winter, people often feel trapped inside their homes: blogging can give you a sense of freedom. Try using the Logitech MK605 laptop stand on your desk or kitchen table to make the whole experience of using the laptop, when not on your lap, all the more easier!
If blogging isn’t for you, log onto forums that interest you - there are so many hobbyist forums where you can share experience, gain knowledge and chat with like-minded people.
Top tip 8: New Year, New You
Think about how you are going to be at your best in 2011. Create a bullet point summary of how you want to be known, recognised and valued, then gather images that represent exactly what you want.
Whether it’s a new fashion style, attitude or approach, by having an image summary will remind you of what you want to achieve and keep you on track to reach your aspirations.
Top tip 9: Future
Create a backward plan of where you see yourself in December 2011 and then work month-by-month to determine the milestones that you will need to achieve to get you closer to your goals.
Set a goal and a deadline of what you want to achieve and when. Then work a month by month plan of all the activities that you need to be doing that will get you to your desired position.
For example, if you wanted to learn how to cook in three months, you could say in the first month you will go to a cookery class, buy some cook books and read recipes online and in the second month you will practice your newly acquired skills, bake cakes for your friends and families, take a dish to a dinner party and by the third month you will hold a dinner party to show off your new skills. Before you know it, you could be achieving your dreams.
Another good way to ensure you stick to your goals is to share these online and create video blogs of your successes to share with friends. Why not install a Logitech HD webcam - the HD Pro C910 is perfect for making videos and uploading to Facebook and You Tube.
Top tip 10: Embracing winter
Winter weather may be dull and drab, but that doesn’t mean you have to be. If you change what you tell yourself about winter you can then have an influence on your overall attitude.
If you start to see the beauty of the season and get excited about winter then you will naturally become a happier and more positive person. This feeling will make you and those around you feel great.
In terms of physical changes, embracing winter rather than avoiding it is the key. One way to do this is to accessorise your outfit with bright colours, such as a coloured scarf.
Go online and check out the fashions for this time of year. Many sites offer video fashion shows so you can see what clothes are on-trend and what the garment could look like on you.
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