New Year, New You…without the New Blue

It’s safe to say that this time of year may not be everyone’s favourite. And when considering the long nights, chilly days and going back to work or school for many of us – is it really any surprise?

With the festive fun now a distant memory and work and other commitments back to their usual routine, it is only natural for many of us to feel a little less cheery at this time of year.

But, it doesn’t have to be this way.

All that Jazz

Instead, January could be a time for optimism and reflection, whether this be embarking on a new career, meeting new friends, taking up a new hobby or planning new adventures, since this time of year is actually one of the best times to make big decisions and embark on a fresh start.¹

For some of us this may mean getting ahead on big projects or trying something new, while for others it may mean focusing on those things we have been putting off and forming better habits.

Whatever it may be, even the smallest of changes can make a big difference – particularly when it comes to our mental health and wellbeing, so now might be the perfect time to put plans into place.

But just before you reach for the credit card and start ordering healthy food, or grab that new pair of trainers, it might be worth thinking about ways you can steadily, consistently and achievably improve your positivity and influence your mood – including by listening to music.

Beat the blues

According to a survey by the British Association of Sound Therapy, 81% of people said that they use music to make them feel happy, while 90% use it to help them relax.² Listening to music this January can help to boost your mood, ease away stresses and create a calm and more reassuring mindset.

It can help to make people feel more relaxed by setting a familiar and more relatable mood, add a burst of energy and help to make people feel more positive and upbeat, especially when listening to songs that are particularly well-known or personal favourites.

In the same survey, 32% of people said that they listen to music to help aid concentration. Whether you are working on professional or personal tasks, playing music whilst you do so can help to increase productivity and channel focus, preventing that overwhelmed and burnt-out feeling.

It can help you to stay on task, encourage you to effectively manage your workloads and help you to stay more involved and engaged.

So, as you prepare for the upcoming year ahead, stay in tune with your health and wellbeing this January, so it can be a new year, new you, without the new blue.