I’m sure many of you have heard about “Monday Blue”, but have you heard about the bluest Monday of the year?
Cliff Arnal, a Welsh psychologist, came up with a formula for the most depressing day of the year to use for a holiday travel company, Sky Travel. He declared that the 3rd Monday of January to be the gloomiest. Factors considered in this calculation were weather conditions, debt levels, time passed since Christmas, low motivation levels, and failing New Year’s resolutions. Unfortunately, this seemingly harmless marketing tactic meant to sell summer vacations grew far beyond its original purpose. However, Dr Arnal has now changed his tune drastically, apologizing for his formula, and even calling himself an “Activist to #StopBlueMonday” in his Twitter bio.
Reflect back on 20th January, 2025 (3rd Monday) and let us know in the comments how did it go for you?
Practical strategies to stop feeling Blue
Nevertheless, feeling low post-holidays can feel heavier to some than to others. Individuals may feel unhappy, restless or irritable. Below we’ve mentioned some ways you can utilize to cope up:
Take a shower
Meet up with a friend
Take a brisk walk
Take 7-8 mindful breaths
A feel-good movie can never go wrong!
(my suggestion: The Intern, 2015; Forrest Gump, 1994)
Get creative, pick up a hobby
Make a gratitude list <3
Encouraging positive mental health habits
Starting new routines and doing them religiously has been a struggle for me and I suppose for many of you as well. We always get caught up in doing the routine perfectly, that after a few couple tries it ceases to exist :) Hence, from now on I will focus on doing my routine (even if it may be imperfect in the start). Some mental health habits you may want to start:
Keep yourself hydrated
Start to meditate
Including nutrient-rich foods in your diet. ( https://www.aaplipsych.com/post/gut-health-and-mental-well-being )
Keeping a check of your screen time
Get 8 hours of sleep at night
If you feel overwhelmed or unable to cope, consider consulting a mental health professional. Seeking guidance from a professional can provide you with personalized strategies and support to navigate challenging times. Remember, building positive mental health habits takes time, patience, and consistency. Start small, stay kind to yourself, and celebrate every little victory along the way.
One day at a time! You got this!
Ref:
