5 smart feel-good tips

Try these new ideas to feel less stressed and more positive

1. Channel your inner Picasso
We’ve all heard the stories about highly strung artists (Van Gogh. Ear. Enough said). So it may come as a surprise to learn that frazzled Brits have been turning to colouring books after the pastime was found to alleviate tension. It's thought that immersing ourselves in a simple activity has a similar effect to meditation. Crayola, anyone? (Pictured: The Mindfulness Colouring Book by Emma Farrarons, amazon.co.uk)

2. Check out a cutie pie
Wish you could be more focused at work – or in life, generally? The latest solution for better concentration could be scrolling through images of adorable things. A Japanese study has shown that people were more focused after looking at cute pictures, especially images of baby animals. Get your daily dose with app Cute Animals – Aww!, free to download on iTunes

3. Try an occasional phone break
Feel like you’ve lost a limb when your smartphone goes missing? We know the feeling. But with reports suggesting that, collectively, we Brits check our phones a billion times a day, it might be time to unplug – at least, some of the time. Doing so could improve your stress levels and sleep patterns – the ‘blue light’ from phone screens interferes with your natural cycle, so switch off an hour before bedtime.

4. Make gratitude your attitude
Add an appreciation section into your food-tracking for a boost of positivity. Dr Sonja Lyubomirsky, author of The How of Happiness, found that taking time out to be thankful boosts self-worth, diminishes negativity and helps you cope with stress. Write down something you’re grateful for every week.

5. Give every day the halo effect
There’s a reason your tea tastes best out of your favourite teapot. According to a study, when something looks gorgeous, we perceive it to work better. It’s called the halo effect, and it means that buying things you love to look at makes you more likely to use them. Plus, beautiful things make you feel happier. We’ll drink (a cuppa) to that!