Hello and welcome to 2015! I hope this year will be the happiest and most successful one yet for everyone. If you’re not convinced it will be, why not try something new or different to spice the year up and make the best of it? Here are a few ideas…

Visit a new place

This could be anything from visiting a friend elsewhere in the UK or a city break with a partner or friend, to a life-changing experience on another continent. We all need regular breaks to keep going, and you’ll experience something new and return home feeling refreshed. I find a change of scenery can also be beneficial in inspiring me on the work or study front!
 

Try a new sport

Even if it seems an obscure one. If you fancy it, find out how you can try it, and do it. It could help you keep fit and meet new people, provide a welcome distraction from the world of work and help you discover a new passion. As an example, a couple of years ago I tried track cycling for the first time – something that had previously seemed like a pipedream – and absolutely loved it. You can try it too, as SportBU offers free sessions for students!

Make a change to your diet

I don’t mean ‘go on a diet’ – this phrase only ever seems to refer to attempts at weight loss these days, although it shouldn’t! I mean consider whether there are any small adaptations you could make to get yourself feeling healthier. If, for example, you often lack energy or feel bloated, think about what you can do to improve this. Cutting down on caffeine, sugar or processed foods, switching from black tea or coffee to green tea, eating more fruit, vegetables or whole-grains and improving portion control are all possibilities. Find out what works best for you and stick to it – but don’t be too strict as this will be hard to maintain – everything in moderation, including moderation!

Study something new

If you haven’t already, why not consider applying for a postgraduate degree? Alternatively you could look into short courses, perhaps in something that isn’t related to your work or degree but you’ve always been interested to learn about, something that will enhance your career prospects or something to improve your skills in an area such as creativity or language. Look out for deals on websites such as LivingSocial; I recently grabbed the super bargain of a Personal Nutrition Diploma for £35 when the usual cost is £495!

Get out of your comfort zone

If you’re not feeling optimistic about the year to come, it could be because what you’re doing at the moment just isn’t right for you. It can be easy to get comfy in a lifestyle that’s easy but not the one you should be following. Consider whether this is the case for you, and what you can do about it. Perhaps you just need to try some of the suggestions above or find a new hobby, but a bigger step such as finding a new job or setting off on a new career path might be what you need. It can be scary moving out of your comfort zone, but it will get you out of a rut and help you to realise your potential!

By Lauren Bishop