‘Blue Monday’ fell recently on January 16 and is the most depressing day of the year.
Psychiatrist Dr. Cliff Arnall initially invented the term in 2004 as a marketing strategy for a travel company. The reason Arnall theorized that this Monday was the bleakest of all has to do with the worsening weather in January, the ceased excitement typical of the festive season, and the holiday debts.
Although ‘Blue Monday’ is essentially a marketing strategy, Josephine Franks reports: ‘It's thought seasonal affective disorder, or SAD, affects around 2 million people in the UK, causing symptoms similar to depression including low mood, lethargy, and loss of interest in hobbies.’
So, if you feel blue this month, be assured that you are not alone. I have prepared a list of things that can make you feel better during this month:
1 Have Some Chocolate
Chocolate had to be the first tip on this list. Everyone needs their intake of chocolate sometimes, and it is scientifically proven that the chemicals in chocolate affect our brains and make us feel happy and relaxed, similarly stimulating the brain as cannabis does.
Additionally, this magic food tastes fantastic. What more reasons do you need? I suggest you have some chocolate when you feel under the weather.
No matter the formula, it can be milky, dark, or a new taste on the market. Therefore, it can be inside a cake, spreadable, or hot chocolate. Remember: if you are feeling blue, chocolate will make your day a bit better!
2 Bake Something
On the other hand, when we are not at our best, we often feel completely unproductive. So, if you think this way, I suggest you prove that you are not.
In this case, there is no better choice than to focus on an activity that is practical, funny, and satisfying: baking.
Creating something from scratch can shout up that little voice inside your head telling you off. It does not matter what you make. Maybe browse a recipe or make your workhorse. In conclusion, if you are looking for something more challenging that will fill your entire day, then bake some bread. Bread requires attention through its preparation, but anyone can do it, and the result is fantastic.
Plus, making bread is a pleasure for your senses. This must be why everyone was so obsessed with breadmaking during lockdowns. Kneading the dough releases your nerves, and the scent of fresh bread from the oven is incredible.
And you can also have tips 1 and 2 together; think about bread with chocolate chips or muffins.
3 Watch Your Comfort Film
Thirdly, it is as simple as that. We all have that one films that always make us feel good, from romantic comedies to that comfort Tv series that you never get tired of bingeing, or maybe a favorite old-time animation you loved as a kid and still makes you feel better as an adult.
4 Text Someone Who Gets You
Well, if you feel blue, you probably do not feel like going out or hanging out too much with friends. This is okay. A good idea might be texting a friend or someone you feel comfortable with. Please have a good chat and tell them how you feel.
January is renowned for making us all feel a bit blue, so chances are they feel the same way too.
5 ‘Mens Sana In Corpore Sano’ ‘A Sound Mind In a Sound Body.’
As the last one, make your ‘blue day’ a day for yourself. Days like these come as reminders to treat us a little bit sometimes. We deserve it.
If you feel like it, exercise, run, and burn those low calories away.
Then light up some candles, and have a hot bath with bubbles and good music playing in the background. Just have a pause today to take care of yourself!
Besides, my final tip would be to customize and make it your own, add to it and make a top 10 or 100. So, whenever you feel a bit down you will have it ready to cheer you up.
Finally, these are just suggestions, but my advice is to do something you love. Blue days happen to everyone, not only on Mondays, but you can treat them like the opportunity to take a break and focus on yourself and on what makes you feel good.