By Jennifer Wallis
January. Everyone hates it. It’s the month where the sudden realisation that we have spent a years worth of wages on two pointless little days hits us smack, bang in the face. There are a few things you can do though to help ease the pain.
Here are our top five ways to beat those January blues.
1) GET FIT. Exercise releases those wonderful little chemicals- endorphins, also known as ‘happy hormones’. During January, Frame is offering unlimited Quickie sessions every week for just £20. The sessions only last for 30 minutes so you’ve got no excuse to not get yourself down to the gym.
2) EAT WELL. There are an abundance of markets in the area selling fresh fruit and vegetables, as well as fresh fish and organic meat. Hoxton Street Market and the Brick Lane Fruit Market on Sclater Street are just two in the area. As well fruit and veg, they also pedal vintage wares and other little trinkets and treasures, all at bargain prices.
3) DRINKS OFFERS. Not into being healthy? Assuming you have friends, grab them and head down to Blueberry Bar. On Saturday’s and Sunday’s they offer two for one cocktails and four bottles of beer for a tenner- bargain. Sunday also plays host to their weekly Ping Pong tournament. Get drunk whilst attempting to hit a ridiculously small ball with a ridiculously small racket? Winner.
4) BOOK A HOLIDAY. Don’t just stare at the miserable, grey sky and whine about how rubbish the weather is here. Do something about it. Trailfinders on Threadneedle Street ,on the outskirts of Shoreditch, currently has a worldwide sale on flights. Or, if your New Years resolution was to travel, then there’s no time like the present and Trailfinders offer one of the best services around to help you plan your trip of a lifetime.
5) VISIT A FARM. Spitalfields City Farm has an abundance of cute critters to cheer you up. The farm also needs volunteers all year round and even has ‘grow your own’ fruit and veg facilities as well as offering free cooking classes to local residents.
And if all that fails, just remember that you’re half way to pay day and January is nearly over, AND, if you’re one of those silly people who decided the most stressful month of the year was the right time to quit the booze, you’ll be able to take a running jump off the wagon of abstinence pretty soon.