By Daniel Seow, Content Team Editor
Blue Monday. The day said to be the most depressing day of the year, partway through the freezing cold month of January, gloomy grey weather, broken New Year’s resolutions – the list goes on and on. However, before associating all your January ills with this myth, take a step back, a deep breath, and think again.
Everyone has their good and bad days, and this is no different in January or July, winter or summer – mental health is complex and varied, and affects us all in different ways. Instead of associating a single, prescribed day to our mental health, we should make an effort with our mental health every day we can, throughout the year. Blue Monday may be a myth based on a lack of evidence, but we can harness its reach to raise awareness of mental health and promoting self-care through the difficult times we all experience.
Instead of falling prey to the misconception of the ‘most depressing day of the year’, you can seize this opportunity to become more aware of your mental health, as well as what you could do to protect and improve your mental wellbeing.
Need some pointers to get started on that journey? Here are 3 things you could do:
Get active
Physical activity is one of the first steps to increasing your energy levels and improving your mood. Some of us may have picked up a gym pass, or perhaps have a bicycle lying around the house. However, the biggest benefit of physical activity is how accessible it is – you shouldn’t need specialized equipment or personal trainers. Being able to go out and taking a walk is something almost anyone can do and brings with it improved mental wellbeing and health. Other things you could try are indoor workouts, daily stretches or even gardening. The most important thing is to find a level of exercise for you, no matter how small it may seem, before building it up.
Socialise and spend time with others
With the massive social events of Christmas and New Year out of the way, socialising may feel like the last thing to be doing for many. However, finding the level you can personally handle and spending with friends and family can be hugely rewarding and will help to stave off those feelings of loneliness and stress. Doing enjoyable activities with friends and family, or simply having a call every now and then can give you the lift you need to make it through the days and weeks ahead. Alternatively, picking up new hobbies or dusting off old ones and finding local groups who do those hobbies may be another avenue worth exploring.
Aim and set realistic goals
New Year’s resolutions may have come and gone, but this doesn’t mean the end of making personal aims and achieving your goals. These resolutions are notoriously tricky to maintain, with many of us buzzing with optimism from the holidays before reality sets in a few weeks later. Although some of us may fail our resolutions, looking at the reasons behind why and learning from it can be just as valuable. This reflection can then be used to set ourselves new and more achievable goals. Having a clear and achievable goal can be highly motivating and sharpens the mind, while success is a near-guaranteed mood booster.
While some days may seem longer than others, or more of an uphill struggle, this is just the beginning of the year. Finding the activities and routines that work with your mental health and daily life, and staying well aware of your wellbeing will set you a strong foundation to build on your mental health, as well as give you the strength to get through whatever tough times you face.
