You Don't Need to Feel Blue on Blue Monday

While Mondays are not really the happiest day of the week – no one likes having to get up for work after the weekend – it seems that today is the most depressing day of the year. Known as Blue Monday, the third Monday of January is meant to be the most dreary of 2017 – so things can only get better from tomorrow!

After the excitement of Christmas, January always seems a bit bleak, but today can often be worse because you’re starting to feel tired after getting back to normality, there’s not a lot of cash in the bank and it seems like there’s very little to look forward to, especially with summer being so far away.

While there’s no real proof that Blue Monday is really a thing, there’s no denying that January as a whole is fairly difficult to get through, whether today seems worse or not. As much as we would all like to just hide under a blanket until spring, or at least until Blue Monday is over, this isn’t the most practical option.

Instead, there are ways you can boost your mood today and for the rest of the month to make it all a bit more bearable.

One of the best ways to boost your mood and make you feel happier and more awake is to soak in sunlight. Sadly, we can’t all hop on a plane at a moment’s notice and jet off to a sunny destination, so you’ll have to make do with the UK’s version of sunlight.

Spend as much time as possible outside during the day – just remember to wrap up warm – to enjoy the benefits of natural light on your mood and health. Even a trip outside on your lunch break can make a difference, especially as you get some fresh air too.

Have you ever noticed that sitting down and doing nothing when you feel tired actually makes you feel even more exhausted? Being active can help chase away tiredness and leave you feeling happier, so it’s a good idea to use that gym membership you thought was a good idea to sign up for in the first week of January.

Even taking a walk can make a big difference, so try and fit in at least half an hour of exercise a day to keep you happy and healthy.

It can be tempting to indulge in sugary treats and live on coffee during January, especially if you struggle to get up and go in the mornings. Not only are these far from healthy options, they only give you a short burst of energy before leaving you feeling even more tired.

Instead, eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, as well as healthy protein and fibre, which will give you a lot of nutrients and keep your energy levels constant. Making sure you have three square meals a day will also be beneficial.

While all of this may not guarantee a better mood this Blue Monday, it can’t help to give it a try.