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Simple Ways You Can Improve a Bad Day

So you've had a bad day.

Well, the thing about bad days is that they're always the result of the way we handle negative situations.

That being said, its no easy feat to not be affected by your car breaking down, spilling coffee down your white blouse or misplacing your debit card.

Yet, when these occur they tend to activate a domino effect on the rest of your day, then suddenly you're thinking about how you cannot wait for THIS day to end. It's a natural reaction. You can listen to as much of Daniel Powter's hit song as you like but writing the entire day off as "bad" isn't ideal. Getting back in control of your day is important to stop this domino effect in its tracks.

That's why we've put together a list of small things you can incorporate into your day to improve it, even marginally...

Switch Off Technology For a While

Whenever we're feeling our worst the last thing you want to see is a photo of that friend-of-a-friend you met on a night out having the time of their life in sunny climes.

Punctuating our lives with these small glimpses into the perfected, social media friendly version of people's lives has a negative affect that often goes unnoticed. It's a smart move to move away from our smartphones and technology every now and then.

Switch it off and banish it to a drawer. Even if it's just for an hour or two it will help clear your head and gain some perspective instead of boiling up resentment and self-deprecation about the fact you're not sunning yourself on a beach in Thailand. 

Read a Book

Yes, I'm talking about that teetering pile of untouched fiction on your shelf that you've been complaining about having no time to read.

If we redirected those idle moments spent glazed eyed, endlessly scrolling through Facebook or Instagram towards picking up one of those books that have been allowed to gather dust, we'd have a completely adequate amount of time to read them. It's the perfect way to escape from the bad vibes of the day and concentrate on something interesting and different.

 Write it Down

Having a physical manifestation of your annoyances in ink can be a therapeutic way of improving your day. Think of it as prising your problems from your brain and sealing them away somewhere else so you can get on with your day.

Take a Walk

When clambering into bed and screaming into a pillow for the evening might seem like the only viable option to finish your bad day, often this won't help you stop dwelling on your problems.

It's better to keep busy and if nothing else feels appealing why not just get out of the house and take a walk? Rain or shine, getting out for a bit can be a great idea.

Don't let the weather deter you from getting out in those colder, rainier months. Finally throw that half broken umbrella in the bin and invest in a protective winter coat or a handy, waterproof Mac in a Sac for when the sky looks a bit foreboding and you want a reliable source of rain protection.

5 Alternative Valentine's Day Ideas

Although it has slipped into the predictable convention of chocolates, flowers and dinner, Valentines used to be associated with lots of weird and wonderful traditions across the world.

These included the custom of women pinning the name of their love interest on their shirtsleeve in South Africa, a Valentines Santa called Jack Valentine delivering small gifts to children in Norfolk and "Friend's Day" in Finland and Estonia.

Let's face it though, Valentines is now a pretty cringey day by all accounts.

There'll be rows and rows of pink cards in every supermarket, boxes of chocolates on display and pink hearts stuck on to every restaurant window. The mawkish tradition of chocolates, flowers and dinner that we feel compelled to take part in just doesn't change from year to year.

This year Valentines Day falls on a Tuesday which means there's lots of wiggle room this weekend and even this Monday evening. So, if you're stuck for Valentines ideas and want to do something different this Valentine's day, we've put together a list of ideas to surprise your sweetheart with.

1. Roller Disco, The Mac Belfast

After last year's popularity, The Mac's Roller Disco is back for Valentine's weekend. Hosted by U105's DJ Carolyn Stewart, this is an 80's inspired event so you'll need to crack out leg-warmers, bangles and fingerless gloves! With a 45 minute skating slot and late night disco, you and your other half can skate and dance the night away!

2. Finn Lough

Finn Lough is the perfect way to have a quiet, relaxing Valentines weekend. Situated in Muckross Wood, Enniskillen, on the shores of Lower Lough Erne, Finn Lough has much to boast of. With a spa and hot tub, fitness centre, tennis court and nature trails you can have a great deal of choice on how to spend your Valentine's weekend. Accommodation choices include tranquil lakeside lodges or if you really want an alternative Valentine's there are Stargazing Bubble Domes to really get the most out of the breathtaking surroundings.

3. National Trust Cottages

With over a whopping 400 cottages across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, you won't be short of cottage choices with the option of staying in your homeland or going further afield. The cottages are situated in picturesque locations with a lot of history behind them for you to discover.

4. Cabaret Show

With a dress code of "glamourous" be prepared to get your glad rags on for a 1920's-esque night of cabaret classiness! The Cabaret Supper Club is a decadent venue with vintage Parisian decor that transports you into another time.

It is an excellent way to treat you and your significant other to an alternative night out. With Valentines Packages available including a 2 course dinner, Burlesque performances, theatrical fire eating and a live band, you will be sure to have a lively evening to say the least.

5. Camping

Definitely not an option for the faint hearted, camping in February can only be tackled by the most avid outdoor enthusiasts. If embracing nature and then snuggling up in a sleeping back together sounds like your idea of a romantic getaway then make sure to wrap up warm and prepare for any rain with ladies waterproof coats, overtrousers and wellies during the day and waterproof camping gear by night. This will help ease the effects of any weather induced dampners that might occur on your weekend away.

Let's Talk Fitness & Nutrition

It's a few weeks into the new year and for me, this is the best time to start thinking health and fitness. Let's face it, a week after Christmas is too soon for diets and exercise....the house is full of boxes of sweets and tins of biscuits for one thing! So I always pace myself - enjoy the last of the Baileys and avoid the overcrowded gym classes...until it gets to the end of January.

I'm not a fitness or nutrition expert so read my words with that in mind. I do however have a huge interest in nutrition and exercise and the impact both have on our health and wellbeing so with that in mind, here are my top tips for staying fit and healthy in 2016

1. Walk more places

I am not a fan of walking or running in a circle. I think about where I need to go and look on google maps to see how far away it is. Just the other day, I realised my choir rehearsal venue is only 3 mile from my home. That's about a 35 minute walk at a brisk pace. So I now leave home 15 minutes earlier and walk over (when it's dry). I'm under time pressure to get there for 7.30 so I really stride out. A friend brings me home afterwards so we get to have a great chat in the car. I call that a win/win.

2. Incorporate strength into your exercise routine.

Walking or running alone will not get you in the best shape. Alternate it with some sort of weight bearing exercise to keep you strong. Body Pump is an amazing class that you can take at your own pace and even just doing it once a week, I've got guns to be proud of....and building muscle helps you burn fat. Another win/win!

3. Stop eating after 7pm.

Studies have shown that your body metabolises food in a different way and at a slower rate in the evening so you are more likely to be healthier and slimmer if you eat earlier in the day and have a long (ideally 12 hours) break between your last meal of the day and breakfast the next day.

4. Cook from scratch when you can.

When I think about what makes a healthy diet, I'd say it starts with this. Nothing complicated mind you. Favourites in this house are fish baked in foil with sweet potato chips or chicken curry (made with paste). Delia's ragu is well worth making in bulk at the weekends. I'll not end up on master chef but it definitely improves your diet if you're in control of what goes into your meals on at least 5 days in the week.

5. Eat breakfast!

Your mum told you this all your life and it's so true. If you eat well to start the day, you're less likely to eat rubbish later in the day. A chocolate bar at 11am is often justified by having missed breakfast. Your body needs fuel in the morning to get going and porridge is the ultimate breakfast fodder but if you can't stand it, how about a couple of poached eggs with toast? Be very careful and read the labels of breakfast cereals. They're better than eating nothing but many are high in sugar and salt and won't sustain you for as long as porridge or eggs will.

6. My last one is all about the kids.

We sometimes forget that we are responsible for our kids' diets and inherent in that, we're dictating the attitude they will have to food when they are adults. Say no more often! They should only eat about 6 teaspoons of sugar every day so explain to them what that looks like and how much is in some of the foods they eat...they'll be fascinated by this, especially if you get the sugar bowl out and get them to measure it. I never talk about weight or shape to my kids but I do always tell them to look to see how much salt is in their Bran Flakes or how much sugar is in Cheerios. My kids would love the latter every day for breakfast but now they know how unhealthy they are, they're ok with just having them on Saturday mornings. I'm not trying to be the smug mum here - it's no different to teaching them to be safe on the road or to work hard at school. It might not work with them all but you've got a duty to try. Oh, and in case it helps, my kids voted this the best sugar video to watch on Youtube:

https://www.youtube.com/embed/Yda8RtOcVFU?rel=0

I'll leave you with a few sites that I love looking at when I'm struggling for food inspiration.

- My latest crush is on Joe Wicks, The Body Coach. His 15 second Facebook videos are hilarious....the kids love them as much as I do. Think Russell Brand and Nigella Lawson's love child and you'll get the gist

- Davina has just released her Smart Carbs book but before you buy, you can get lots of inspiration and daily meal plans from her website

- As I'm trying to have a meat-free day each week, I enjoy browsing the videos on Honesty Healthy Food. They have some great kids recipes too - something lots of blogs and chefs forget about.

Here's to a healthy 2016 and to starting New Year resolutions in February.....with the bonus that it's the shortest month :)

Ax

Target Dry Guide to Keeping Warm (and Stylish) This Winter

When the temperatures plummet and frost glitters teasingly on the footpaths, venturing outside can become a dreaded prospect. Does wearing layer upon layer of clothing to the point of movement restriction sound familiar? When coordinated outfits are abandoned in favour of keeping warm, and the practical clothes you shunned before are a necessity, winter really becomes the most frustrating time of year. Gone are the days of those day dresses and light jackets hanging tantalisingly in your wardrobe as you long for brighter days. Do not despair however, your Target Dry guide to keeping warm, and importantly, stylish this winter is here to see you through to spring and make those winter days more bearable.

1. Layering

Your Mum has probably hammered this to you before but it really is all about the layers whenever the temperatures drop. It's important to have a base layer, a mid layer and an outer layer, these will trap air and thus help to keep you warm. If you stick to these three stages when putting your outfit together you should be well on your way to being warm. Your base layer should fitted quite close to the body as it will suck in perspiration from your skin. It should be made ideally from a warm material such as wool or fleece. Avoid cotton as this retains perspiration and will in turn make you cold.

For your mid layer body warmers/gilets are great investments to keep you warm without adding on an extra bulky layer to your arms - Yes, elbow movement doesn't need to be compromised after all this winter!

For your outer layer ventilation and breathability are a must. This will help when going between different temperatures, such as walking to the bus stop in the cold then getting on to a warm bus. Instead of your body struggling under the heat, with a breathable outer layer you'll handle varying temperatures with ease. Long waterproof coats are perfect for rainy mornings whereas quilted waterproof coats are a must have for those colder, wintery mornings.

2. Layering 2.0

Layering doesn't need to be limited to your torso, especially if you wear jeans and leggings often. With jeans and leggings not tending to be the warmest material for winter it can be a good idea to put on a pair of tights underneath them for a bit of extra protection from the cold. Runners tights tend to retain the heat best so you can finally end the annoyance of seemingly constant cold legs this winter.

3. The Hat Question

If you're stuck with the dilemma of having your hair ruined by a winter hat, perhaps it will make your decision easier by finding out that your head being the area of your body you lose body heat from more than any other is most is likely to be a myth. So, if you really want to skip a hat today, perhaps this info will ease your guilt. However, it is worth bearing in mind that any exposed part of your body will contribute to loss of body heat. So while we can't really wear onesies to work (unfortunately), adequately covering yourself from head to toe on colder mornings is a good idea. It is also important to note that children do lose heat more than adults do, so a warm, waterproof hat is definitely an advisable investment for your little ones.

4. Exercise

Doing some (small) exercise in the morning before you venture out into the cold can be a good idea to retain warmth. That's why they call it a warm up after all. Jumps, lunges, squats and pushups are all ideal to get your blood flowing and help maintain warmth. But, if the idea of exercise first thing in the morning seems hellish to you as an alternative wearing your coat around the house for a few minutes before you leave will help warm you up a bit in preparation.

Finding Motivation This January

Falling in the wake of New Year celebrations, the unwelcome phenomenon of the "January Blues" wreaks its havoc each year. The cold weather was just about bearable with the Christmas spirit abound but now it feels as though there is a collective mentality geared toward fast forwarding winter. From rapidly waning New Year resolutions to being back at work after the holiday indulgence, motivation just getting out of bed can be in very short supply. That’s why, to help you wrestle your January Blues into non-existence, we have compiled a list of activities of fun things to do that will help put January in your control instead of your blues.

1. The Gruffalo Trail

If you're wondering what to do today, from 26 November until 24 January, Colin Glen Forest Park is bringing to life children's classic, The Gruffalo. Following in the footsteps of the very clever mouse to find the Gruffalo, you'll encounter some interesting characters along the way so make sure to take plenty of photos. As it's an outdoor activity, don't let the cruel January elements keep you banished indoors, get the kids wellies out, wrap up warm with waterproof winter coats and be ready to delve into the fictitious world of the Gruffalo for an afternoon!

2. Attend a Local Event

However appealing staying cooped up in the warmth of the house might seem, getting out and about, having a sense of life beyond work has an important impact upon your overall mood. Boasting of a multitude of diverse acts, the Out to Lunch festival defeats the concept of January being a dull month. With many family friendly events, whether its music, theatre or literature, you and your family can enjoy something different to rejuvenate January.

3. Have a Literary Lunchtime

Jazz your lunch hour up on Wednesdays with a trip to the Ulster Hall for an informative, interesting talk on a particular literary topic each week. All you need to bring along with you is your lunch and you're ready to escape the grind in the beautiful, historic setting of the Ulster Hall.

4. We Are Vertigo

With a newly opened spa and off-peak prices for skiing, trampoline, zipline and adventure there has never been a better time to hit local attraction We Are Vertigo for a family day out. With so much choice for activities, you can unwind in the spa safe in the knowledge that the kids are having their fill of fun whatever they choose to do.

5. Spend a Night at the Museum

On January 29^th and 30^th Ulster Museum are holding exclusive night time trail and sleepover at the museum. Including a torchlit dinosaur trail and encounters with Vikings and Egyptians, this will get the kids off the Playstation and make for an exciting and different way to bring January finally to a close!