Bust The Seasonal Slump: How To Beat January’s Blue Monday

Christmas and New Year are over, spring is such a long way away and the evenings, for now, don’t look like they’re getting any longer. To top it all off, the weather man has threatened us with snow…

(Fun for the evening, not so fun the next morning trying to get the car heated up in freezing conditions.)

Was that blue enough for you? Because, your mood dip could be explained right here, it’s Blue Monday.

The third Monday in January is allegedly the most depressing day of the year. Was it Sigmund Freud that discovered this piece of knowledge by any chance? Nope. The idea of ‘Blue Monday’ was actually launched a few years ago as a PR scheme to promote a travel company who wanted to boost sale of foreign holidays. Seriously.

Since then, we’ve dreaded Blue Monday every year. It’s been regurgitated, but without any reference to the travel company itself. It has gained a life and mythology of its own. Looks like we’ve been duped into feeling down.

But, one thing is for certain, this time of the year is depressing. The festivities are over, the New Year resolutions have been broken and all that goodwill you handed out over Christmas is about to come back and haunt you when the credit card bills land on the doormat.

One UK organisation has made it its business to recreate Blue Monday this year with a little more positivity, this time as Blooming Monday. The concept is simple. Mental Health Research UK invited everyone to wear their brightest clothes to work today. The charity hopes that on this day once a year, employees will make it their business to dress down in coloured skinnies, rainbow-striped jumpers and, hell, go for it, your striped leg warmers too.

They’re hoping the idea will brighten the place up, whilst raising awareness and helping others to understand that they are indeed not alone when feeling low.

A recent study has suggested that there is another simple way to combatting ‘Blue Monday’, sit by a window or go for a stroll.

Keep your plate full of colour with fresh fruit and vegetables.

More than three-quarters of people quizzed in a poll admitted that the low amount of daylight hours at this time had a negative effect on their mood.

The answer is to get as much natural daylight as possible, whether that is through going out for a stroll or sitting close to a window during the gloomy days.

As well as getting more natural light, winter blues can be eased with a good diet and exercise regime.

The seasonal dip in mood can make us crave sugary foods and carbohydrates such as chocolate, pasta and bread. Don’t forget to stock up on plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables.

And the final weapon against the seasonal slump? Keep active. You’ll never regret going for that walk…

If you feel you might need a little more help with your January blues, you can find help here:

You can visit the Pieta House website by clicking here.

Or you can call the Samaritans on 1850 60 90 90 (Call charges do apply)