Turn your Blue Monday into Happiness

It is #BlueMonday and for many people it can feel like the longest day and one which lends itself to being hard to deal with. But what is Blue Monday?

What is Blue Monday?

Coming from Australia, I had never heard of this before and that is because it only relates to the Northern Hemisphere. According to Wikipedia:

"Blue Monday?is the name given to a day in January (typically the third Monday of the month) said by a UK travel company,?Sky Travel, to be the most depressing day of the year. The concept was first published in a 2005 press release from the company, which claimed to have calculated the date using an "equation". It takes into account weather conditions and thus only applies to the?Northern Hemisphere."

Having now lived in the UK since 2013, I can agree January can be quite a depressing month with lots of grey skies and what feels like a lifetime away from summer! On top of that, however minor, for a lot of people it is a hard month because pay checks take an extra 2 weeks to get to you given the early pays provided in December. So, there needs to be a way of working through this day in January... There is. I have 8 Top Tips below which may help you.

Do we have a right to feel happy in January?

We have a right to feel happy every day of our lives. So what would make January any different?? Nothing. But it is the end of Christmas and the New Year. The added Covid situation globally has not helped anyone over the past 2 years. So to feel glum just feels right for so many of us. BUT you need to come out of this and find the happiness which you and I deserve.

How are you going to do this? Here are my Top 8 Tips... (in no particular order)

Tip 1: Listen to your Favourite Music

All of us have our #favouritemusic to listen to. It could be classical, pop, rap, a certain era such as the 80's which happens to be my favourite. However, whatever you can put on which instantly puts a smile on your face, then do it. I look around the tube carriages sometimes and realise just how many people are smiling with headphones on and are tapping their feet to the music they are enjoying. That is amazing and something we all should do. There are times I want to sing to the music I am listening to, but I guarantee it would send people off the tube earlier than they would want to!!!

Tip 2: Get out into nature or just outside

It is so important, not only for our physical wellbeing but for our mental wellness a well to get outside and just breathe in fresh air. Taking a walk, going for a run or a bike ride can take us out of what we may be feeling and just give us that freedom we need. If you have a dog, take him/her out with you. Even if you do not have a park nearby or a beach to walk along, just getting out and discovering your local areas can free up your mind and make you feel whole again. It can #relax and rest your mind as well as helping you keep fit. A Win Win.

Tip 3: Read a book

Yes, I know that this is a pass-time which not everyone enjoys but even if not a book (a magazine on your favourite hobby). When you let yourself be absorbed in reading, you can lose yourself in your own imagination. Something which I feel is missing now in adulthood. Allow yourself time to pick up a book or read your Kindle even if only for 10-15 minutes in the day. I read my book on the tube this morning and realised just how quickly we had sped past most of the stops on my tube line! #Rediscover your love of your imagination.

Tip 4: Do something for someone else

We often get so caught up on making sure we are on top of everything we need to do or being where we need to be, we can forget others may be going through things they need support with. Even the smallest of actions can help others. For example, if you have a few extra minutes spare but notice someone seems to be in a hurry, let them go before you in a line. This morning I was settled in my seat on the tube after changing to a different line but an elderly lady got on the tube. No-one else moved, so I did. She said 'Thank you' and smiled. I felt like I had done something so simple to help someone else. It made me feel happier inside. What could you do today?

Tip 5: What are you grateful for?

Despite the past 2 years being tough for so many people, I know there are many things we can feel #grateful for. These will be different for everyone, but taking the time to write these down, will give you the capacity to think a bit differently about where you are in your life right now. People have lost many loved ones but what amazing and beautiful memories do you have which you can call on each day? People have not seen their families for many months or years, but technology has allowed them into our lives each day. For me, I will not have seen my family for 3.5 years by the time I see them in person and my Dad has not been well over that time, but if I imagine a life without technology to see them, it would have been even tougher. I am grateful for my family, my friends, my job and that I am alive. What about you?

Tip 6: Call Someone to Say Hello

Following on from Tip 5 above, remember you can call someone you may not have spoken with for quite a long while. It can be difficult sometimes when we all get caught up in living our day to day lives to forget there are many people who would love to hear from us. You don't know what someone else may be feeling, so it can make both your day and theirs with just one phone quick call to say "Hello, how are you?". Who can you call today?

Tip 7: Book a day or weekend away

Give yourself something to look forward to. Book yourself a day out at your favourite place or look to go somewhere new. By making the booking, you are giving yourself something to look forward to. If you don't want to actually have a day out exploring, book a spa treatment, book a game of golf. But book something which you can put in your calendar with a daily reminder, so that you know that there is a treat for you coming up.

Tip 8: Find Time for you

All of the above things provide you time, but you need to TAKE THE TIME to FIND TIME FOR YOU! Life moves fast. Everyone always has so many things to do. But creating the space for you in that daily TO DO LIST is crucial. Not just today but every day, set aside at least 15 minutes a day which is #YOURtime. Take up whatever activity feels right for you. It can be any of the above Tips, but you may decide you want to take up Yoga, Meditation, go to the gym or just simply lay quietly and have a quick nap! Take time to be kind to yourself.

Turn your Blues into Happiness. It is so important for your own #wellbeing and even for those around you. You can turn this third Monday in January into a day is full of #happiness to take you into the rest of 2022.

I would love to know how you are going to turn your Blue Monday around this year.

@ Hazel Theocharous