Are You Ready for January?

Are you there?

How are you doing?

Holding up okay?

(Mr. LB took this photo last weekend.)

The tree is down.

The lights and decorations are all boxed up.

Company has left.

The days are short, and nights are looming.

And the bills will begin arriving soon.

January is said to be the most depressing of months for several reasons.

We are experiencing the longest nights of the year.

So what can we do?

Here are just a few ideas.

*

SAD (seasonal affective disorder) is a very real thing - even among children.

The 'natural light' light bulbs are helpful.

I call them happy lights - to keep SAD away:)

Face the light ~ be it a window or lamp, get that light.

*

We have spent the last month on a sugar high 

from the cookies and cocoa to the wine with dinner.

What goes up must come down.

Be sure to eat your greens.

I'm talking green beans, dark leaf lettuces, brussels sprouts, chards, etc.

*

Move! Get outside.

Take a walk, shovel snow, go ice skating, whatever it takes

to get some of that fresh air in your lungs.

Exercise is one of the best mood lifters, boredom busters,

and health builders there is - and it's free.

*

Missing the family/friends?

Write them a letter.

I know, I hear you saying, "A what?"

Really though, not a novel or even a multi-pager.

Just write a note stating how much you enjoyed the visit,

the yams just the way you like them, seeing the kids, etc.

It appears to be for the recipient, but it's actually a very healthy

thing you can do for yourself.

It's win-win.

*

Bills.  Oh yea, those things.

Hopefully you were mindful and didn't go too wild.

Either way, look at your finances.

Plot, plan, and set goals.

This might sound like a funny thing to do, but 

I like to set 2 goals:

one is very realistic and attainable

the other is more of an 'if we can swing it' sort of number.

Usually, we hit somewhere between the two numbers

which is still better than the minimum.

Just having the knowledge of what is owed

and what your plan is will alleviate a great deal of stress,

thus the saying "fear of the unknown." 

*

And lastly,  the longer evenings allow me to stitch 

so I actually look forward to January.

Whether your hobby is reading, doing jig-saw puzzles, or checking your

dentures for cavities, consider this your retreat time.

It won't be long before we are starting seeds

and putting together our project lists for the warmer months ahead.

Remember all the times you uttered the words,

"if only I had a little more time to ____."

Here it is.

~Just trying to help keep us all healthy and happy~

*Happy New Year*

Note: I am not a doctor of any kind.  This is meant as information only.

You are responsible for yourself and your decisions. 

If you are in need of help either medical or mental, please seek it from a professional. 

Until next time,

Nimble Fingers and Even Stitches