It's Groundhog Day! Six Ways To Shake Up Your Routine

Today (February 2) marks Groundhog Day — made famous by the iconic 1993 Bill Murray movie.

The film made the annual event synonymous with a repeating 24-hour cycle, where main character Phil wakes up at 6am each morning to find the previous day has been struck from existence as time resets.

With that in mind, rather than suggest the scattergun approach adopted for the film, we've taken a look at six simple ways you can ensure your life avoids becoming a series of repetitive tasks.

1. Practice Meditation

There are various forms of meditation, all of which can help people remain present rather than being concerned about impending tasks or past anxieties.

Daily meditation is a healthy practice, with research showing our brain releases an anti-anxiety chemical called GABA during the process.

In addition to this, meditation enhances self-awareness, lengthens attention span and promotes emotional health — so what are you waiting for?!

2. Try to meet friends in person

One of the major challenges of the pandemic has been the isolation many have felt, with an increased dependence on social media and interaction through technology.

A 2020 study by Fowler and Christakis found that a happy friend who lives within half a kilometre of your home makes you 42 per cent more likely to find your own happiness.

3. Take a chance on new experiences

While short-term it is cathartic to spend money on gadgets, outfits or toys, more enduring joy can be garnered from 'lived' experiences.

You could combine this with the previous selection and take friends out for a treat.

Research has shown that spending money on someone else's happiness intensifies uplifting feelings.

4. Take an online course or learn a new skill

Websites such as Udemy offer several cheap or free avenues for training, while learning a new language is possible through apps such as Duolingo and Babbel.

If online learning isn't really your thing, why not try finding a course at your local college/university or finding a one-on-one teacher to learn an instrument?

5. Volunteer and help others in your spare time

Volunteering is a selfless way to improve the lives of others while increasing one's own serenity.

A number of websites list volunteering opportunities, so you should be able to find something to suit your schedule and interests.

6. Get creative... Paint!

Dust off that canvas and indulge in some painting — the process relaxes your mind in a similar way to meditation.

You don't have to create a work of art, with a 2021 Forget Me Not Art study showing the activity of painting improved the mindset of 86% of people who struggle with their mental health.

And in case you need a little more inspiration, here's groundhog Punxsutawney Phil's prediction in Pennsylvania earlier today: