Blue Monday is thought to be the most depressing day of the year, situated, as it is, in the middle of the long month of January, a month synonymous with debt, bad weather and misery… Blue Monday has become a regular event in the calendar, regarded as an opportunity to actively promote our mental health and wellbeing.
So, should you be worried about this day that is fast approaching? The answer is, simply, no. There can be no doubt that January is a tough month for so many of us, particularly set against the backdrop of the pandemic. The Mental Health Foundation writes, ‘It is pointless to try and identify what the most depressing day of the year is because it would be different for each one of us. As different as each person’s circumstances are. And it is also important to distinguish between temporarily feeling down, which we all relate to from time to time, and experiencing depression or a mental health problem that can be quite disabling for our day to day lives.’
Though Blue Monday may not be scientifically real, we have written before about Seasonal Affective Disorder, and some of our top tips for feeling good in the long winter months.
Symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder include:
- A persistent low mood
- A loss of pleasure in everyday activities
- Irritability
- Feelings of despair, guilt and worthlessness
- Lethargy
- A change in sleep pattern
- Craving stodgy foods
Sound like you? If you’re struggling with the change in season, there’s plenty you can do to lift your spirits. Take a look at our top tips here: https://clearo2.com/do-i-have-seasonal-affective-disorder-and-how-can-i-combat-it/
Our number one tip? Be kind to yourself
We have touched on this so many times already, but no more so than now is self-care key. Don’t be afraid to give yourself permission to slow down and tend to your emotional and physical wellbeing. There are simple steps that you can take to implement greater self-care into your daily routine:
- Breathe easy
- Make your lunch break count
- Take supplemental oxygen
- Listen to your body
Make sure you are following our social media channels on Monday as we are launching a fantastic giveaway – another opportunity to bat away those January blues!
