A ‘HAPPY TOGETHER LIST’ TO CELEBRATE TV CHANNEL TOGETHER’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY 

• Blue Monday, on the 21^stof January, is known as the most depressing day of the year  
• A ‘Happy Together list’ will involve charity partners and bloggers with advice on social media  
• The TV channel celebrates its first anniversary of broadcasting, supporting charities and their campaigns by showing a selection of happy shorts and documentaries
• Together is available for free on Freeview 93, Sky 173, Virgin 269, Freesat 164.

JANUARY 21st, LONDON – Monday blues need to be tackled once for all. And Together, the TV channel that turns one today offers some advice and help people be happier in their lives. 

From today onwards, Together will air a selection of happy shorts and documentaries that will help people focus on happy thoughts and ways to improve their own lives. Together is available on Freeview 93, Sky 173, Virgin 269, Freesat 164 and catch up services like My5. 

“Together celebrates its first anniversary since we launched the new TV channel. We are here to inspire people to make positive change in their lives and their communities.” – said Caroline Diehl, Co-Founder and Chair of Together. “This first year of broadcasting actually comes after 18 years as Community Channel, the only UK TV channel inspiring viewers to make positive change. With Together, we want to be even more effective for our viewers, inspiring and connecting them.”

The Happy Together List

✅ Exercise more: According to a research published in The Journal of Happiness Studies (NewYork Times - May, 2018), literally any form of exercise can boost your mood in as little as 10 minutes. We know that exercise improves health, and feeling healthier might make people feel happier.  

 

✅ Sleep more: Poor sleep affects mood by causing frustration and stress, while healthy sleep can be the reason for good spirits and even happiness. So sleep more to avoid anxiety and stress symptoms. You’ll get started with more energy and better mood!

 

✅ Spend time with friends and family: We're talking about quality here, not quantity. The number of hours you spend in each other's presence is a lot less important than what you do while you're together. Good relationships take work. Whether it's a date night, taking a walk together, or just talking about your day over a cup of tea, make the effort to spend quality time together. Join Campaign to End Loneliness to Be More Us.

 

✅ Go outside: Bring more colour and life to your home or community space with wildflowers. Good news is, you don’t need to wait until spring to make this happen! Check out all things wild on Grow Wild’s website.

 

✅ Help others: Volunteering is a great way to help others, stay active and make new friends too. And 100 hours per year is the magic number. In fact, according to a research published on Higher Perspective magazine, 100 hours per year (or two hours per week) is the optimal time we should each be dedicating to helping others in order to enrich our own lives. Get involved in all sorts of initiatives within your local community. Visit Neighbourly to join social projects within your community.

 

✅ Practice smiling: In a research focused on smile, scientists concluded “that smiling can be as stimulating as receiving up to 16,000 Pounds Sterling in cash.” But make sure it is a real smile, not a fake one! Surprisingly enough, our brain can in fact distinguish very easily between what’s real and what’s fake.

 

✅ Plan a trip (even if you don’t ever take it): Simply planning a vacation or break from work can improve our happiness. A study published in the journal Applied Research in Quality of Life showed that the highest spike in happiness came during the planning stage of a vacation as people enjoy the sense of anticipation. If you can’t take the time for a vacation right now, or even a night out with friends, put something on the calendar — even if it’s a month or a year down the road.

 

✅ Meditate: Meditation literally clears your mind and calms you down. It’s often been proved to be the single most effective way to live a happier life. According to a study published on “Psychiatry Research: Neuroimaging”, meditation can actually make you happier long-term. The fact that we can actually alter our brain structure through meditation is somewhat reassuring that however we feel and think today isn’t permanent.

 

✅ Practice gratitude: There are lots of ways to practice gratitude, from keeping a journal of things you’re grateful for, sharing three good things that happen each day with a friend or your partner, or going out of your way to show gratitude when others help you.