oli’s tip: get your heart rate up
Gyms (and more importantly golf courses!) may be closed but that doesn’t mean you can’t boost your mood, and your heart rate this Blue Monday. Elevating your heart rate, even if just for 20 minutes, will help your body to release vital endorphins, which naturally improve your mood and help you feel great for the rest of the day.
My favourite way to start the week is with just 10 minutes of hill sprints in our local field, but failing that a brisk walk along the canal does the trick too!
The most important thing is not to put any pressure on yourself - simply doing anything to get your blood pumping will release those endorphins and provide a more positive outlook for the rest of the day.
hannah’s tip: reach out to a loved one
Don’t panic, I’m not going to suggest a day of zoom quizzes, or a group Houseparty call - we can leave those in lockdown 1.0!
Whenever I need a little mood booster I’ll always give my Mum a call - family and friends just know how to lift our spirits don’t they? With everyone in the same boat right now and looking to pass the time, why not set aside an hour or two to call round to those people who never fail to cheer you up?
and finally: light a candle!
We all know that lighting a beautifully scented candle makes us feel better - but why?
According to Counselling Directory:
“The smell of scented candles stimulates the part of your brain connected to memory and mood. From boosting energy to relieving stress or even enhancing mental clarity, the healing properties from lighting a scented candle can deliver psychological effects.”
Whilst we all have our own favourites, here are our recommendations for our most mood-boosting scents this Blue Monday:
- The Norfolk - Lavender Fields - Lavender is scientifically proven to instantly relax both mind and body.
- The Sussex - Sage & Sea Salt - Sage not only smells beautiful but is a proven mood-booster.
- The Suffolk - Amber & Sweet Orange - Orange scents help to reduce stress.
- The Somerset - Apple & Fresh Fig - Apple scents help to control feelings of anxiety.
- The Cambridgeshire - Cassis & Black Vanilla - Vanilla lifts your mood and stimulates feelings of relaxation and joy.
