THE cold weather and dark evenings aren’t going anywhere despite January almost being over.
And it turns out nearly half of Brits wish they could skip February altogether and go straight to March as they name it the ‘Monday of all months’.
Those surveyed put the dreary weather (69 per cent), freezing temperatures (68 per cent), and short days (52 per cent) as the top reasons many would like to banish February from the calendar.
The poll of 2,000 adults found that 30 per cent admitted their New Year’s resolutions had faded by the time the second month rolled around, as 48 per cent blamed a lack of motivation.
And 40 per cent said that life simply gets in the way after January, while 32 per cent confessed to becoming bored with the goals they’d set.
But overall, 45 per cent of Brits feel unmotivated throughout February.
To help the nation combat the February funk, Bassetts Vitamins, which commissioned the research, has launched its Fun-uary Calendar to encourage people to embrace one fun task a day to lift their spirits. It is available via a social media giveaway.
Former EastEnders star Natalie Cassidy, who has teamed up with the brand, said: “I’ve actually never been a big fan of February.
“And it’s clear with 53 per cent of people voting February just as gloomy if not gloomier than January, I’m not the only one.
“So taking on the tasks from the Fun-uary Calendar has brought a bit of joy to each day, which can make a big difference this time of year.”
The study also found 63 per cent of adults are eager to make February more enjoyable, with 85 per cent of the belief that it’s the little things that bring the most joy.
Among the top mood-boosters were watching a comedy (27 per cent) and listening to a podcast (11 per cent).
If the winter blues persist or feel overwhelming, consider speaking to a healthcare professional, as it could be a sign of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), which may require additional support.
Moments shared with loved ones brought the most enjoyment, with 81 per cent cherishing these interactions.
Giving a friend or family member a hug (37 per cent), meeting up for a coffee (34 per cent), and revisiting shared traditions (19 per cent) were also among the most treasured activities, according to those polled via OnePoll.
Hannah Gardner, from Bassetts Vitamins, said: “We know how important it is to encourage people to indulge in a moment of fun each day – especially during the bleaker winter months.
“And with the launch of the “Fun-uary Calendar” you can do just that, all while embracing the simple habit of taking a one-a-day vitamin gummy.”
THIS is the dramatic moment a hooded gunman hell-bent on revenge opened fire on a rival.
CCTV showed Mohammed Islam launching the horror attack after arriving at a car park in Birmingham, West Midlands.
Terrified bystanders scattered as the thug chased the victim around the busy area with a silver handgun.
Islam can then be seen firing twice at his target but missing as the carnage continues.
But at one stage the victim trips over – leading the gunman to fire a final shot that hit him in the left thigh.
Islam and two other men he had arrived with then fled the scene of the horror.
The footage also shows the moment armed cops swooped on a taxi the attempted assassin was travelling in.
Police shattered the taxi window before dragging the Islam out and pinning him to the ground.
The gunman denied he was involved in the shooting and also racially abused officers as he was arrested.
But officers were able to identify Islam after trawling through CCTV and mobile phone analysis.
They also discovered the victim had threatened Islam with a knife on the same road earlier in the day.
Although the motive was unclear, police established the shooting was a revenge attack.
Islam was cleared of attempted murder but found guilty of wounding with intent and racially aggravated public order offences.
He was jailed for 12 years at Birmingham Crown Court.
Det Insp Matt Marston, from our Major Crime Unit, said: “This was a truly shocking outburst of violence, which has seen multiple shots fired and a man very lucky to have survived.
“Islam clearly wanted to cause his victim really serious harm and this could easily have become a murder investigation.
“We put a huge amount of effort into tackling gun crime in the West Midlands, and people who think it’s acceptable to carry or use weapons should be on notice that we will actively pursue them.”
ITV News presenter Faye Barker struggled to get her words out when she was confronted with one tricky to pronounce surname.
The broadcaster was presenting ITV News live on air when she highlighted sports news, but then struggled to pronounce Alexander Zverev‘s surname.
Speaking to the camera, Faye said: “Finally tennis number one Jannik Sinner has won his second consecutive Australian Open title.”
As she went on to describe how the Italian beat Zverev she stumbled over the name, before apologising and adding “Sorry got that wrong!”
She then brushed over it as she continued with the news, but the clip didn’t get forgotten quickly.
Shared online, the blunder has already been published on X.
The announcement came after the German tennis star lost in straight sets to Italian Jannik Sinner.
Before the match took place the German star was heckled by a woman from the crowd.
While he was walking to the microphone, a person yelled: “Australia believes Olya and Brenda!
“Australia believes Olya and Brenda!”
The heckle was referencing the two women – Olya Sharypova and Brenda Patea – who have accused him of domestic violence.
During his speech, he did not mention the protests of the person, but did address it later.
He said: “I believe there are no more accusations. There haven’t been for, what, nine months now.
“Good for her. I think she was the only one in the stadium who believed anything in that moment. If that’s the case, good for her.
“I think I’ve done everything I can, and I’m not about to open that subject again.”
SHE splashed out on a £195 new bed for her 11-year-old son.
And while Kimmay thought she’d done a great job as she put the furniture together, she soon realised she’d made an epic mistake.
She took to TikTok to share a video documenting the hilarious error, as she showed just how close the ceiling light and lampshade was to the mattress of the high sleeper bed, which she’d purchased from Argos.
“So I should have maybe measured the bed before I even bought it, let alone put it up,” she began.
“But I can tell you this I am NOT taking this down!
“It took me all day to build it.”
But she wasn’t going to make her son sleep with the bed like that, so had been thinking about different ways she could make it work.
One solution she’d come up with was to cut the bottom part of the “stilts” the bed was sitting on.
“Would that solve the problem?” she sighed.
“Because I really don’t want to take it down!”
Kimmay added that she didn’t think she could even get the bed down if she wanted to, as she guessed she probably “put it up wrong”.
She concluded the video by saying she was “gonna just chop things off” until she made it work.
People in the comments section were quick to offer their suggestions, with many saying she should just pay an electrician to come and move the light.
“Pay electrician to move the light, will cost about £100,” one wrote.
“Just get electrician to move the light fitting,” another added.
“Best just buying a light that is flat to the ceiling, probs £10 B&Q,” a third suggested.
“Won’t cost much for a electrician to move the light,” someone else added.
While others agreed with Kimmay’s idea to fix the situation, or came up with other ideas.
“Yes trim the legs, we did this to our IKEA loft bed,” one wrote.
“What about the desk? It will be to low if you chop the legs off,” another warned.
“Get spot lights!” a third said.
To which Kimmay replied that she “will if my plan doesn’t work”.
In another TikTok, she shared an update from outside Screwfix as she waited for the “little tools” she had ordered to pick up.
“Today’s the day that I either fix it, it goes terribly wrong or it’s just a proper laugh,” she added.
“And I’m really, I am actually looking forward to it!”
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Фото: Getty Images | Князь Альбер ІІ та княгиня Шарлін з дітьми Напередодні князівська родина Монако відвідала традиційну церемонію Спасіння Найсвятішого Таїнства в церкві Сент-Девот. Вони підпалили символічний човен. Княгиня Монако Шарлін вийшла у світ з чоловіком та дітьми. Відповідні кадри зʼявилися на Getty Images. Напередодні князь Альбер ІІ із дружиною та двома їхніми […]