The Christmas decorations are back in the loft, and it’s cold and dark outside. Your bank balance has taken a pounding and you’re struggling to fasten the button on your jeans. To top it off, summer seems a billion light-years away.
Either Father Christmas’s elves have spent December in your wardrobe, naughtily restitching your clothes or you’re deep into a festive food and drink hangover – the latter being most likely – and it just feels like your life needs a little refocusing. Does this 12monthly cycle sound familiar?
A top university professor has calculated that Monday, January 13, 2020 will be 2020’s Blue Monday – the most miserable day of the year. It’s drilled into us that January has to be the month of low expectations, self-berating and cutting out vices, but it doesn’t have to be all doom and gloom.
In fact, St Francis Hospice has plenty of reasons to be cheerful, namely, all of the wonderful volunteering opportunities that are available to give your life more of the feel-good factor. Whether you’re looking to upskill, change career or simply help those who are less fortunate, now could be the perfect time for you to make an impact.
Some older helpers volunteer to keep them on their toes during retirement while many younger volunteers like to add some oomph to their CV.
Esta historia es de la edición January 2020 de Essex Life.
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Esta historia es de la edición January 2020 de Essex Life.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
The rise of maskne
With the term ‘maskne’ becoming an increasingly common search online and on social media, Krystal Prince explains what it is and how you can control mask-induced acne
The forgotten lady
Charlotte Christie shares the life story of Anne Knight, an Essex pioneer for the abolition of slavery and women’s suffrage who’s achievements have almost been air-brushed from history
Stride out in the Sampfords
This charming, circular winter walk takes you on a tour from the village of Great Sampford to its neighbour, Little Sampford, and back again
MUCH TO TALK ABOUT
As a presenter on Sky Music and the host of two TV talk shows of her own on Gidea Park-based Sky channel Spotlight TV, Hayley Palmer is never short of words. Nicky Adams asks her how she came to be in front of the camera
LIFE and SOUL
Radio 1 broadcaster and producer Charlie Hedges began her career as Britain’s youngest breakfast show host and is now one of the world’s most successful female DJs. Denise Marshall caught up with the Essex-based queen of the air waves
Lest we forget
Remembrance Sunday will have a special poignance this month as 2020 marks the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II. Stephen Roberts profiles how much the county of Essex contributed to the war effort and how much it cost
Lakeside Magic
The Lake House, nestled in Mill End on the outskirts of the village of Bradwell on Sea, has been owned by the same family for 60 years and was once a thriving four-buoy water-ski lake.
Keep on running
BBC presenter and director David Whiteley shares his insightful view on stories from across the county of Essex
Cheers!
Starting to get that festive vibe? Why not plan ahead by selecting not only the drinks you want to serve this Christmas, but also ticking off a few presents too?
A doggy day out on… Saffron Walden
Join Ernie, the county’s most famous Westie, as he steps back in time on a trip to this medieval market town
