Most of us know that Blue Monday happens on the third Monday of every January
But did you know that the term itself was coined by psychologist Dr. Cliff Arnell in 2004 to help boost airline ticket sales in the month of January?
Brutal, but ultimately, highly effective.
January can be a depressing month. Christmas is over, people are back to work and children are back to school. It’s certainly understandable that people might be feeling unmotivated and a bit fed up.
Of course, it’s important to state that feeling depressed cannot be dictated by a date in the calendar but if Blue Monday opens up the conversation about mental health, then that can only be a good thing.
It’s the perfect excuse to talk to someone you might be concerned about or to check in with your children to see how they are feeling following the Christmas holidays.
If you’ve been feeling anxious, here are a few things that might help ease the knot in your stomach.
1. Talk
If you’re a parent or carer struggling with the demands of lockdown and homeschooling or just need to vent, we have a Parenting Support Line which can be contacted by email at [email protected] or Monday to Friday between 9am–1pm by calling 01 522 4300.
2. Exercise
You’re probably sick of hearing people banging on about it but moving your body, preferably outdoors in nature, is the best thing you can do for your head.
3. Podcasts
There are so many podcasts out there now that the choice can be almost overwhelming. On the plus side, you can choose literally any topic in the world – music, movies, TV, wellness, health, teaching, languages, carpentry, poetry – and you’re guaranteed to find one to suit you.
4. Journal
If you don’t want to share your worries with anyone, write them down. It’s funny how different things look when we see them on paper. Once you’ve done that, draw a line down the centre of the page and write down what you can do to help minimise your stress and the things that are outside your control. Eg. How others act in a pandemic.
5. Meditation
Meditation isn’t for everyone but thanks to the variety available, it’s worth exploring to see if you can find something that resonates with you. If you’re a beginner, a guided meditation is the best way to start. You’ll find more than you can listen to in a lifetime on Youtube or smartphone apps. Search for the area you’re interested in – sleep, stress management, confidence, peace, motivation – and see how you feel afterwards.
6. Be Kind
This is a reminder that you don’t have to be doing something wildly productive or self-improving to be worthy of love or kindness. If you are feeling particularly low today, do whatever you need to do to make yourself feel better.
Watch a movie, phone your best mate, make your favourite dessert, browse interiors on Pinterest, spend the morning in bed watching a feel-good TV series like Parks and Recreation, play with your dog, read a trashy novel, scroll through positive or humorous accounts on Instagram, eat the ice-cream… Whatever you do, own it and ENJOY IT!
