There’s no denying it, we all get that post-Christmas feeling; the decorations are getting packed away, the tree is coming down, and the reality of those New Year resolutions is looming. But it’s a New Year and a new day. We have been hunting for some great tips to kick of 2015 in a positive way and have created a list for you. Whether it’s taking up a new hobby, getting into a new routine, or just trying something wacky, there are plenty of ways to beat those January blues!

Spend some quality time with loved ones:

Whether you’ve been spending the festive period with family and friends or not, a great way to cheer yourself up in January is to be around the people you love. Why not get together and go for a long walk? Not only is this a great opportunity to spend some quality time with the important people in your life, it’s also a brilliant way to get some exercise.

Get creative and try something new:

Why not lift your spirits by trying something new? A challenge or even a little competition with a family member can be a lot of fun. Pick up a new instrument, learn to dance a certain style, or try your hand at a new sport- not only will this raise your spirits but you may even discover something you thoroughly enjoy!

A bit of ‘me’ time:

A lot of us can find the Christmas period relaxing but a lot of us can find it very stressful. With the presents to buy, the food to cook, and the cards to write, the calm of January can come as a relief. Spending some time alone can be just the ticket, whether it’s lounging around for a weekend without any plans, reading a good book for a few hours, or going for a long lonesome stroll.

The great outdoors:

Getting out in the fresh air, even in winter, is proven to be a great mood-booster for kids and adults alike. Avoid the hassle of the over-crowded gyms and packed exercise classes and take advantage or your local green spaces. Many local parks have free outdoor gym equipment, and even a walk in the woods will do you the world of good. Why not include the kids as well? High ropes courses or activity centres are a great idea for getting outside and getting active- a great kick start to the year.

Food for thought:

It happens every year- buying more food than we need for Christmas Day. You might think you can eat a delicious full English breakfast first thing, followed by a large roast dinner and snacks later on, but you’d be wrong. So, what better way to empty the cupboards than to use up the rest your Christmas food in creative recipes? Have a party, have a feast with your favourite person, or make a meal up as you go along.

Have you got any top tips for getting over the January Blues?

10 Ways to Keep Cool During the Summer Heat

1. Buy a Popsicle, ice cream, or some other frozen yummy treat.

2. Drink plenty of cool water. During summer, you sweat more, and you have to replenish the water in your body. So drink a nice cold glass of water, and keep a bottle with you always. A tip to stay more cool is fill up a water bottle and put in the freezer for 30 min to an hour, and freeze another to take outdoors and the "iced-water" will last much longer. Don't risk dehydration.

3. Find a friend, and go for a swim, have a water fight, or just dump buckets of water on each other. A weird but fun way is bring a nice cool bucket of water and pour it on your trampoline if you own one and then you created your own slip and slide.

4. Place an ice pack on your wrists. It cools the blood in your veins, and instantly makes you feel cooler. You could also run your pulse under some cold water or just splash some cold water on your face to stay at a desirable temperature

5. Sleep with a sheet when you go to bed, and have a fan directed toward you. You can also dampen your sheets in water and the air blowing from the fan will make you feel refreshed, until it all evaporates.

6. Turn off unnecessary lights, TV, oven, etc. During the day, keep off the majority of your lights, since they produce energy and heat!

7. Shower or bathe frequently in mildly warm, or cold water to stay refreshed.

8. If you have an air conditioner, turn it on. Keep the air filter clean to avoid clogging or fungus may grow there. For best results, close the doors to the rooms that have the air conditioning on. This will trap the cool air in the room, keeping you cooled down.

9. Make sure the setting on the AC is on "high" to move the air through faster and farther. This is not the "colder-to-warmer" settings. That uses very little additional power, but may make a louder "shushing" air sound.

10. Use a portable fan set at the desired setting to keep you at your own comfort zone, too.

Benefits for the homeowner when purchasing a BUILT GREEN(TM) home built by Nicon Developments Limited

Energy Efficiency
Energy cost are the second largest expense that homeowners incur after the mortgage payment. With an energy efficient home the homeowner reaps the benefits with lower energy costs.

Comfort
Homes with improved ventilation and fewer drafts allows the homeowner more control over the temperature and humidity in their home. Proper designs in a new home can take advantage of sun in both the winter by using it to help heat the home and in the summer to help keep the home cooler. A less drafty home with improved ventilation increases the homeowner’s control of humidity and temperature. Appropriate design and orientation can take advantage of the sun's warmth in the winter and reduce the sun’s impact in the summer.

Water Efficiency
As water becomes a more precious resource year after year, installing water efficient appliances such as low-flow fixtures allow the homeowner to better control the use of these resources. Energy Star dishwashers, clothes washers and water aerators on the faucets also help in our water conservation. Planting landscapes that are drought resistant or require less water are also easier to maintain as they need less attention.

Healthier Indoor Air
Well sealed duct systems are encouraged by the BUILT GREEN™ program making the ventilation system in your home healthier for you and your family.

Durability and Less Maintenance
Both inside and outside your home, more durable building materials are used to reduce both maintenance and the need for costly replacements.

By purchasing a BUILT GREEN(TM) home built by Nicon Developments Limited, you not only seeing the benefits as the homeowner but the environment and community are also seeing the benefits. Using local sustainable materials not only reduces the cost of the products used to build the home, it also reduces the pollution as less transportation is required to get the supplies to the building site. Buying locally also stimulates the economy and when the builders choose materials and products made from recycled content we see a reduction in the energy to extract new materials.