Grey Skies

So I've written a lot about our family trip to India during the Christmas holidays. What I didn't mention is that when we returned to London I felt depressed as soon as I stepped off the plane. Don't get me wrong, I love London and think the UK is a great place to live. However, coming from the chaos and colour and sunny streets of Delhi and Odisha, I was hit by how grey the UK is. The skies, the buildings and sometimes even the people...seriously what is up with the grey and black winter wear?! Not to mention it's freezing!

Christmas is Done and Dusted

I always find that in the lead up to Christmas, the dark wintry nights are quite cosy and everything is lit up for Christmas, we decorate our houses and feel festive. There is something special to look forward to. When Christmas is done and dusted, the dark and dismal days just drag on until....March! There's Valentines Day in February if you're in a relationship/in the pursuit of one. But if you're like me and think it's just over-commercialised and that every day should be Valentines Day then other than buying cut prices roses on the 15th of Feb, this is not really a date in your calendar.

Sunshine is a Natural Mood Booster

I always feel better when the sun is out. And I'm sure I'm not alone as sunshine is a natural mood booster. No matter how cold the temperature is outside, if the sun is shining, it's bearable. The problem is that in the UK at this time of year the sun can be a stranger. That's why I decided to make my own sunshine. Here are my tips for beating the winter blues:

Listen to Music

The right music can really lift your mood. After coming back from holiday I think the kids were feeling it too, particularly going back to school and the daily routine. So one day after picking them up from school I just put on some party music and put out some nice snacks. They were much happier! Since then we listen to a lot of upbeat music at home and usually end up singing along or dancing.

Eat Well

Eating is one of life's pleasures. It's important to eat food that you enjoy and look forward too, especially if it does your body good too! It's fine to eat a slice of chocolate cake now and then. I do and I don't feel guilty about it either! However, too much sugary and fatty food is obviously going to make you feel worse. I always think this time of year is a chance to make new health goals and look into ways to eat better and try new things. Nutritious and delicious home cooked food is definitely good for body and soul.

Pamper Yourself

At the moment I'm a stay-at-home mum. I don't have to dress up smart to go into work and my social life isn't what it used to be. So it's easy to feel that there's no point in paying much attention to how I look. I remember a friend who was also a stay-at-home mum once saying to me "all my clothes can double up as pyjamas". Whilst being comfortable, this really didn't do much for her mood. I find that a little self-care and pampering can lift your mood. I'm not saying I go out to Tesco's with a full face of make up but a little lipstick, freshly washed hair and adding colour to my outfits makes me feel better while going about my daily routine. So do what you need to do, get a haircut, put on a face mask, have a mani-pedi, because you're worth it!

Stay Active

Exercise is one of the most important things you can do to stay happy. It really is a mood booster. Even if you have to drag yourself out of bed to go jogging or do a fitness DVD, after you complete it you will feel more positive. I never thought I'd be one of those people crazy enough to go jogging in the snow but it turns out I am! I just put on a few extra layers and before I know it I've turned into Forest Gump!

Spend Time with Family and Friends

In this busy world we live in we sometimes forget to connect with real people. Often it just takes someone to reach out and invite someone over for dinner or arrange to do something together. There is nothing like spending time with loved ones. It's nice to have a laugh and share what's on your mind. I always feel better about life when I've talked things through with my mum or my sisters. I'm lucky that I have amazing family and in laws and spending time with them is always a pleasure. If your family or friends live too far to meet up regularly then phone them or Facetime. Technology gets the blame for making us anti-social but it's a great tool for staying in touch.

There you go, those are my five top tips to for making your own sunshine and beating the winter blues.

In some cases there is something more serious going on and we may need professional help so these tips may not be of much use. But for most of us we are in control of our own mindset and mood, even though sometimes it may not feel like it. We can steer ourselves into a more positive place and it starts with self-care.

MummyImperfect x