Blue Monday falls on the third Monday of January and has the esteemed reputation of being the most depressing day of the year! But why? We know Mondays aren’t a great day at the best of times, but why is this particular Monday so depressing?
According to Wikipedia, Blue Monday gained its reputation after a travel company claimed to have worked out an equation for calculating just how depressing the day could be! Using factors such as weather, accumulated debt and other aspects, the title of Blue Monday appears to always fall on the third Monday in January. However, it’s worth noting, this only actually applies in the Northern Hemisphere!
With all that said though, there are things you can do to keep yourself from falling into the trap of getting too down. Whether you are falling behind with your gym membership and New Year’s Resolutions, or the diet has kicked the bucket, it’s doesn’t mean you have to get down! It’s time to give yourself a little boost, a pat on the back and get yourself moving forward on a positive note!
Start with a list of all the good things you have done and achieved since the start of the year, regardless of how small they are, they deserve your recognition! So if you have managed to not eat a single biscuit since January 1st, well done! If you have managed to sort your email inbox so all the clutter is moved and you can find your emails easily, well done you! See, it’s easy to find the good and positive things even if everything feels a bit dire.
Another good way to boost your mood is to set a fun and achievable goal for yourself, how about keeping it simple with reading a chapter of a new book each night? Or sorting through your wardrobe and finally getting rid of those jeans you bought in a sale because they were just a Pound but you have no intention of ever wearing!
It’s always worth reaching out to others too at times like this. It’s very easy to fall into the trap of thinking you’re the only person in the world who feels down or lacking motivation, but if you take the time to stop and speak with someone, even a total stranger, you will quickly discover it’s not just you and what’s more, it’s OK not to be OK all of the time.
Want to Learn more about Mental Health?
If you feel you would like to know more about Mental Health and how outside forces effect the way people think and feel, why not try our Mental Health Awareness Short Course for a better insight.