If the media are to believed, the third Monday in January (16 January 2023) dubbed “Blue Monday” is the most depressing day of the year, but we are here to remind you that it’s nothing more than a marketing gimmick!
“Blue Monday” originated as an idea in 2004 when psychologist Cliff Arnall was asked by travel firm Sky Travel to come up with a formula for the January Blues as part of a campaign to encourage people to book their summer holidays. The formula was based on the factors likely to cause low mood, including the time since Christmas, motivation levels, and the weather. However Arnall later admitted that the formula was essentially pseudoscience and urged Brits to “refute the whole notion” of Blue Monday (Independent 18.1.21)
Mental health affects people 365 days a year.
We all have bad days, and January can be a tough month for many reasons, but trying to condense our feelings onto a 24 hour time period is definitely NOT the answer. We know first-hand that depression is a serious condition that can affect people on any day of the year and quite frankly, the notion of blue Monday plays into unhelpful stereotypes around mental health, so we want to turn this campaign from a negative into something positive – an opportunity to raise awareness about mental illness which, as we know, doesn’t pick a single day to rear its ugly head.
Our top tips for calming your mind today and everyday…
Making a conscious effort to calming our minds and giving ourselves permission to experience a full range of emotions everyday can help us to find more clarity and can improve our wellbeing.
Take notice…. take the time to notice your needs. How do you feel today? what does your body and mind need?
Take a break… even small 3-5 minute breaks to move or stretch, can help calm your mind. If you have time for a longer 15 minute break, go for a walk, listen to a podcast or read a book.
Just breathe… Square breathing is a type of breathwork that can shift your energy, connect you more deeply with your body, calm your nervous system, and reduce the stress in your body.
Stop scrolling… it’s easy to want to distract ourselves with mindless scrolling, but this can also lead to overwhelm and feeling wound-up with an overload of information. If you really want some positive digital intervention, opt for an app such as Calm or Headspace.
Set a goal… If you’re making new years resolutions, be kind to yourself; remember working towards a goal is what matters, not how fast you get there.
Reach out for help.
However you are feeling today, we are here for you. If you are struggling, and would like to take positive steps to getting your mental health back on track, you can reach out to our wellbeing team for more information about the support we offer, contact 01264 332297 or email enquiries@andovermind.org.uk and we will be happy to help.
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