Blue Monday is known as the most depressing day of the year… so we have some tips if you’re trying to stay cheerful this year.
Somehow Blue Monday is already here. It’s about the time we realise we were kidding ourselves with our resolutions, and we’re still snaffling Christmas chocolate that never seems to end. The term was coined and established in 2005 by Sky Travel and was given the name Blue Monday due to bad weather, debt, and a failure to keep up with resolutions. It’s also far enough from Christmas that we have to accept it’ll be another eleven months before we celebrate it again. But if you want to avoid the bad vibes on Blue Monday, here’s just a few ways to stay cheerful.
Plan something fun
Make this the day that you plan that holiday, or dinner party, or drinks night. If you’re broke cause, you know, January, then just put a plan in place as opposed to booking anything. If you have been wanting to organise something for a while, use today as that day. This is officially your sign to do it! Pay day is just around the corner now; plan something nice for yourself, even if it’s only small.
Use today as a reset
It’s cliché, but for good reason. Mondays are the perfect day to reset, and instead of dwelling on what you haven’t achieved so far in 2022, use today to set some goals. Manageable goals, that are specific and easily measured. No sweeping statements of “getting fit” or “eating better”. Set yourself up for the week, write stuff down, and completely ease yourself of any possible guilt.
Check in with friends
If you’re feeling a little bit crap today, chances are, your friends or family are too. Use today to check in with someone you haven’t in a while, and start a conversation about how you’re feeling. You’d be surprised how much just discussing your mood with someone else can help improve things for you.
Write down what you’re grateful for
Okay, okay. I know there’s going to be people rolling their eyes at this one. If writing isn’t your thing, then just take a moment to reflect on the things you are grateful for in your life. I guarantee if you break it down to the very basics you’ll find some. Be grateful for your sight, for being able bodied, for the people in your life being healthy, for your morning coffee, for a sunny day, anything at all. It can be as big or small as you want, and I find once you begin listing what you’re grateful for, you’ll find there’s so much more than you’d expect.
Listen to happy music
I don’t know about you, but I have this terrible habit of stewing in a bad mood or feeling. I literally have a sad girl playlist on my Spotify, for when I want to make myself even sadder. Tempting as it is, I urge you not to do that. As much as you don’t want to listen to cheery music, once you get through “Mr. Blue Sky” or “Come and Get Your Love”, you’re going to feel at least 10% better than you did before. This goes for sad movies and tv shows too. Sticking on a funny podcast is also a winner – my current recommendation is “My Therapist Ghosted Me” with Joanne McNally and Vogue Williams. Comedy gold.
Dance Party
Much as I cringe myself out by using the term “dance party” I can’t really think of another way to describe it. For those who have watched Grey’s Anatomy, you’ll be familiar with Meredith and Cristina’s routine of having a 30 second dance party to shake off bad energy. You’d be surprised how much it can lift you up, and it goes hand in hand with listening to happy music. Stick in the Air Pods or headphones, and blast some music while you dance it out. Instant serotonin boost.
Reward yourself
This doesn’t have to be a huge thing, but reward yourself for getting through the day. Get a takeaway, buy that pair of shoes you’ve been eyeing up, watch Harry Potter again even though you probably binged them all over Christmas. Do something nice for yourself.
Just remember, it’s one bad day. And it’s only as bad as you let it be.
Header image via Shutterstock
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