The Monday-est Monday of the year

For some of us the third week of the year, especially the third Monday, can feel incredibly difficult. Originally coined Blue Monday in 2005 as an advertising gimmick for a travel company, there is no scientific weighting to this term. However, it might still feel like a very long day for many of us. 

Why does it feel like such a long day? 

Although initially, it was based on a formula that is not scientific at all, a few factors can add to your stress on this particular day. 

• The festive season is completely over.
• Schools are in full swing, which means most people are also back at work. 
• It’s the first full work week of the year.
• Because of this, the roads are a nightmare.
• This is also when many New Year’s resolutions start to fail. 
• There is still a lot of month left, and January is typically an expensive month. 
• The general Monday blues
• Fuses are short all around. 
• Motivation begins to decline. 

What can you do to beat the Monday blues? 

Remember you are in control – not of other people, but 100% of yourself and how you act.

• Breathe! Take a deep breath when you feel like you’re starting to spiral, someone cuts you off in traffic, or you get an idiotic email. Taking a deep, grounding breath will help ground you so you act instead of react. 
• Be kind and cut some slack – not just for others, but also for yourself. 
• Go for a walk, even if it’s just to the bathroom and back. Moving your body and putting a little distance between you and the problem can make a huge difference. 
• Get some sun. Just for a few minutes to boost your vitamin D levels. 
• Take regular breaks. You might feel like you need to sit in front of your computer the whole day to power through your work. But research has shown that regular breaks are good for both productivity and eyesight. 
• Stay hydrated. Drink water, not just coffee and tea, but water. 
• Find something to look forward to (and not next December). It can be something small at the end of the day. 
• Speak to a loved one – it’s one of the easiest ways to boost your mood. Just send a text saying hi. 
• Don’t fall into a complaint spiral. There is a massive difference between offloading and complaining. Yes, it’s not a great day, but is it all bad? 
• It’s just a bad day – it will pass, and things will improve. 
• Reach out. If things feel too much, ask for help. 

In the words of Nick Hamman, “Life is too short to hate a seventh of every week.”

Take care of yourself!
And if you ever want to talk, I’m just a click away.