What is Blue Monday? (& 5 Ways to Protect Your Mental Health)
Year after year, you hear about Blue Monday - the infamous day coined as the most depressing day of the year.
If you’re already feeling down, Blue Monday can be a day you start to dread because you don’t want to feel even worse. If you’re feeling okay, you worry about whether it’s temporary.
But is Blue Monday even a real thing you need to worry about?
Here at KMA Therapy, we know you want to learn the truth about mental health trends, and we’re here to help you get the facts you need.
After reading this article, you’ll know why Blue Monday was actually invented and five ways to protect your mental health this winter.
What is Blue Monday?
Blue Monday is deemed the saddest day of the year, falling annually on the third Monday of January.
There’s a lot of debate surrounding this controversial “holiday,” and you’ll likely see #bluemonday trending across social media platforms every year.
With the dropping temperatures and post-holiday sadness, it’s not hard to believe that a January Monday could leave so many people feeling down.
But even if you’re feeling glum in January, it’s not because Blue Monday is the saddest day of the year - in fact, Blue Monday has no research to back it up.
Is Blue Monday Real?
No, Blue Monday isn’t real - there’s no scientific evidence to back up the claim that the third Monday of the year is the saddest day of the year.
Even though Blue Monday was created by a psychologist, it’s not based on mental health research - it was designed as a marketing gimmick in 2005 to help Sky Travel sell more holidays in January.
Blue Monday was chosen based on these factors:
- Poor weather conditions
- Low motivation levels
- Post-holiday blues
- Financial stress
These factors may not make Blue Monday sadder than any other day of the month, but they can definitely strain your mental health throughout the winter.
Protecting Your Mental Health During January
Even though Blue Monday itself isn’t a real phenomenon, that doesn’t mean the winter months aren’t long and difficult to get through.
The lack of sunlight, chilly weather, and feelings of isolation that come with winter can absolutely take a toll on your mental health.
But if you’re feeling the effects of the winter months, you don’t need to book an expensive trip to feel better.
Instead, use this time to reflect on your current habits and explore small changes you can make to protect your mental health.
5 Ways to Protect Your Mental Health in the Winter
These five tips can help you reduce your stress and improve your mental health during some of the most difficult days of the year.
1. Focus on financial health
Budgeting may not seem like a mental health tip, but one of the leading causes of stress in Canada is money.
Especially after the holidays, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by receipts and credit card bills.
As tempting as it can be to ignore your finances and hope they figure themselves out, take the time to go through your expenses and create payment plans for any debts you need to pay off.
One easy way to cut back on expenses is to take a look at your subscriptions - are there any streaming services that have stopped streaming your favourite shows? Did you stop using that app that charges you five dollars a month to sit in your phone?
Click unsubscribe on whatever isn’t worth your money.
2. Keep in touch with friends and family
After the hustle and bustle of the holidays, the beginning of January can feel like a relaxing reprieve.
However, after a few days of quiet, you might start to miss all the time you got to spend with friends and family.
It can be tempting to isolate yourself and stay home during the winter months, but make sure not to cut yourself off completely.
Figure out ways to stay connected to loved ones and meet new people - even if you need to join a virtual book club instead of venturing to a coffee shop during stormy weather.
3. Move your body in ways that feel good
Exercise is directly related to your mood, from boosting your self-esteem to reducing stress and anxiety.
You don’t need to hop on the January-gym-bandwagon (but if you’re looking to join a gym, January is often a great time for discounted memberships!)
Watching free Youtube videos, bundling up for a snowy walk around the block, and taking stretch breaks throughout your work day are great ways to stay active and feel connected to your body.
4. Try something new
It’s easy to get into a winter slump and make watching Netflix in bed your number one hobby.
There’s nothing wrong with a cozy movie night, but it can be helpful to explore your other interests, too.
Maybe you’re ready to learn a new language on DuoLingo or join your local Pickleball league.
If there’s something you’ve always wanted to try but have never gotten around to, see if you can start it in January.
If you have no clue what you’d even try, check out this hobbies quiz (yes, there really is a quiz for everything these days!)
5. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself
While it’s always great to feel better, don’t put too much pressure on yourself to feel your best right away.
There are many seasons of life, and it’s okay if this season is difficult for you.
If there are days that are difficult, let them be difficult.
Sometimes, a bit of rest and reflection is exactly what you need.
Next Steps for Navigating the Winter Blues
After reading this article, you know the truth about Blue Monday and five ways to protect your mental health this winter.
Here at KMA Therapy, we know that even though you can handle a lot on your own, you don’t have to handle it all alone.
Seeing a therapist can be a great way to manage seasonal affective disorder and any other feelings of stress or sadness you’re experiencing this winter.
If you have questions about the therapy process, download our free Therapy 101 Guide for detailed answers to all of your questions.
You can also register online to connect with a therapist and learn more about how our services can support you.
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