Breaking the Blues: Placing a spotlight on Blue Monday

AMC Healthcare understand the importance of an individual's well-being and how things can affect everyday life. Blue Monday is a day that stands out on Monday 15th January. In the vast spectrum of human emotions, there is a day that stands out among the rest – Blue Monday.

 

What is Blue Monday?

Psychologist Dr Cliff Arnall deemed the third Monday of every January to be the most depressing day back in 2004 with a formula. The formula is supposed to account for January’s worsening weather, the long stretch until payday underscored by festive debt, lapsed new year's resolutions and the joy of Christmas slowly fading.

Blue Monday is also a factor seen within SAD (seasonal affective disorder), where the weather effects your mood and puts a negative impact on your mental health. Hopefully by acknowledging the creation of Blue Monday, not only here at AMC, but everyone in the world can learn how to open discussions about mental well-being and encourage motivation for those who may be struggling during this time of year.

 

S.A.D

SAD stands for seasonal affective disorder. This is also known as ‘Winter - Depression’ because the symptoms usually become more apparent and severe during the winter. It is a quite common disorder to have, and a lot of the time people tend to feel lower during the winter months anyway, without a diagnosis.

If you suspect you may be developing SAD, or suspect you show some symptoms, please do not be afraid to reach out to a professional. We would like to help you in any way we can too. AMC Healthcare are here to help.

 

How to combat January Blues

Whether it falls on Blue Monday or not, here are some things that our nurses at AMC recommend that may help fight off the negativity:

• Focus on something else: Take your mind off things and move yourself into the story of your favourite movie character, or favourite book. It is understandable not having any motivation to do something, and we understand that, but taking your mind off things, by putting yourself in someone else’s shoes, whether that be a movie, documentary, tv show or book; it may help more than you think.
• Talk to someone: Communication is talked about so much for a reason. It really helps knowing that there is someone out there who may feel the same way as you, or even someone who can help you suffer less. It makes you feel less alone, and it truly makes a difference.- Put yourself in a good sleep routine: Tiredness can affect our mood very easily, and it is important not to let it get the best of us. A good night’s sleep will leave you feeling refreshed and ready for a new day in the morning. Take it one step at a time.
• Put yourself around the right people: When you are feeling low, the last thing someone wants is to be around people who are negative people or lack positivity. Positivity is exactly what you need in this time. Surround yourself with people you are comfortable with, and who you can be yourself around.

 

There are a lot of people out there who may struggle with their mental health. Especially around January when Blue Monday hits. A day created from a formula made up of four factors; January’s worsening weather, the long stretch until payday underscored by festive debt, lapsed new year’s resolutions and the joy of Christmas slowly fading. It is unlikely that this day will be the most ‘depressing’ day of the year every year, but the factors within the formula are likely to have an impact on your mental health.

Certain ways you can overcome the way these factors make you feel is distracting yourself, talking to someone, a good sleep routine, and to surround yourself with positive people. Everyone has good days and bad days, but do not let a calendar define which one it is going to be.