How to Fight the Blue Monday Blues

Do you know what Blue Monday is? And no, we’re not talking about the song by New Order. Blue Monday is the name given to a date in January, usually the third Monday of the month (in 2020, Blue Monday falls on January 20) which is supposed to be the most depressing day of the year. A scientist calculated the date using an equation that takes into account weather, debt levels, time passed since the holidays, time after resolutions have failed, low motivation, and a feeling of need to take action. It’s depressing to just think about all that, right? There’s good news, though.

How to Have a Good Blue Monday

Even though you might be feeling the winter “blah’s” because the days are colder and longer, and you’re trying hard to stick to healthier habits after the holidays, there’s nothing especially awful about Blue Monday. Even the scientist who originally “discovered” it, now saysit’s all nonsense. His advice? Use Blue Monday to get some perspective on the coming year, rather than letting it become a self-fulfilling prophecy. Other experts say that the criteria that are used to “calculate” Blue Monday only serve to trivialize realrisk factors for mental health: poverty, trauma, loneliness, ongoing stress. The truth is that sadness doesn’t have a season and it certainly isn’t limited to just one day of the year. There’s no doubt that colder weather and shortened days can make people feel sadder, particularly if they struggle with seasonal affective disorder. That’s not what Blue Monday is all about, though. If you find yourself feeling more blue this Monday, or even this time of year, there might be a few ways to turn things around. Below, we’re sharing a few tips for Blue Monday blues.

Make time for others

Want to feel less blue? Make time to spend with family and friends. After the busy weeks of the holiday season, it’s normal to feel a little lonely. A coffee date or movie with a friend may help you feel connected again. Studies find thatsocializing is good for your health and can balance mood.

Don’t forget to exercise

Regular exercise improves your mood, boosts your energy, promotes better sleep, and generally makes life better. Blue Monday is often the breaking point for many of our New Year’s resolutions. If you’ve fallen off the exercise bandwagon and you’re feeling bad about it, this is the perfect chance to get back on it.

Eat things that are good for you

In the dead of winter, it’s sometimes hard to eat healthy foods when all you want are comfort carbs. This is often a self-fulfilling prophecy, though, much like Blue Monday: the more comfort food we eat, the less comfortable we feel. To beat the Blue Monday blues, eat a well-balanced, healthy diet. It will keep you energized andboosts your immune system.

Get some extra sleep

Sleep is one of the most vital components of a balanced body, believe it or not. Studies have shown that sleep also balances mood, reduces symptoms of depression, and helps our bodies heal. Thebenefits of quality sleep are innumerable. Rest when you’re tired and stay away from blue light screens closer to bedtime. This helps your body enter a restorative sleep state faster, which means you’ll actually feel rested and upbeat when you wake up. If sleep feels elusive or you wake up feeling like you didn’t sleep in the first place, you might want to consider an all-natural sleep supplement. RestoreZ offers a line ofcircadian rhythm sleep supplements that help drift off gently and get the nutrients you need from sleep. For a limited time, use coupon code RESOLUTION to get 10% off your order today!

Seek help if needed

Worried your symptoms go beyond the “ordinary” winter blues? Seek help from a mental health professional. Also, if you or someone you love is dealing with suicidal thoughts or experiencing emotional distress, call theNational Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.