Each January, Blue Monday creeps up on us and before we know it, some of us find ourselves mid-way through January lacking the motivation that we started the year with and feeling somewhat glum. Some of us are counting down to payday, are fed up with the colder weather where daylight hours are short and are craving an adventure.
Here at Grangers, we want to turn Blue Monday (and the rest of January) green by making it full of adventures, looking at tips to beat those blues and making sure you prioritise yourself and what makes you smile.
What is Blue Monday and where did it come from?
The term ‘Blue Monday’ was first coined in 2005 by Sky Travel. According to the travel company, the third Monday in January was scientifically the most depressing day of the year due to a formula that considered elements like weather conditions, low motivation levels and time since Christmas. This ‘pseudoscience’ has since been debunked, as it involves unquantifiable data. Turns out it was a pretty good marketing ploy to encourage customers to get out of the January slump and book exciting holidays. But regardless of whether it is legitimate, many of us suffer in January from the rather depressing conditions of the month (cold, dark and grey days; relatively empty social calendar; lack of funds after the Christmas period; etc.), so we understand how a lot of us may be feeling blue during the first month of the year.
Beat the Blues and Go Green
Did you know that spending time outside has been proven to benefit our mental health? There is an unmistakable link between being outdoors and a boosted mood, drastically improving feelings of anxiety, stress and depression. Furthermore, scientific evidence shows that the outdoors can alleviate symptoms of SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder), a type of depression that sufferers tend to struggle with in the darker, colder months. In fact, getting outdoors is so effective, that there is a legitimate form of therapeutic treatment called Ecotherapy, encouraging participants to get outside and surround themselves with greenery. And it’s accessible to all, not just those that live in rural areas. If you live in an urban area, a park, inner-city garden or green space will do the trick, helping to relax and calm the mind.
Work can also hinder people from getting outdoors at this time of year due to the short daylight hours but even a brisk 20-minute walk on your lunch break can have a positive mental impact. At this time of year, a lack of Vitamin D can really affect us, so getting natural light is a massive booster and if you still struggle, there are some fantastic Vitamin D supplements too. As a team, we love to go for a walk at lunchtime and get ourselves remotivated for the afternoon and for those days when you’re desperate for more time outdoors invest in a headtorch or head out with friends and tick off those miles.
Exercise releases endorphins, a natural mood-boosting hormone that helps to reduce stress and contributes to that euphoric feeling you get after a big run or hike. So however, you choose to get outside – running, climbing, cycling or even dog walking – you’re not only improving your physical health but also nurturing your mental health.
Set yourself new goals/restart those resolutions
If you’re beating yourself up about not sticking to your new year goals – maybe you needed a glass of wine after a stressful day of childcare, it was too icy to go out for a run and you just haven’t yet got back into the swing of things or you’re yet to re-enter the gym – remember that none of this matters. It’s still the new year, we’re only 20 days in, so if you want to set yourself new year resolutions or restart a goal that’s taken a knockback then go for it. 2025 is your year to mould however you want. Just remember to be kind to yourself along the way.
Plan forward
If the seasonal weather makes your favourite activities impossible or you really want something to train towards, plan ahead. Why not set a countdown to when the clocks go forward, bringing lighter evenings and much-needed motivation to take on those sports you’ve been missing out on? You could also book yourself a holiday or register yourself for a sporting event (half marathon, anyone?), helping you to stay motivated and work towards a specific objective. Beach body or seasoned runner, a goal’s a goal! Setting ourselves aims or booking exciting plans to look forward to can inspire us during a January or even mid-year slump.
'You' time
This time of year is also a time to really prioritise you. You could focus on getting yourself into a better sleep routine – a sure way to combat the blues. Even if you can’t manage those 8 hours, allow yourself to relax, practice mindfulness and switch off the pressures of everyday life as you look after your mental health.
What January Blues?
We’re not saying getting out and experiencing the outdoors is going to completely eradicate your troubles but if you can get some time outdoors, paired with some ‘you time’, it can really start to help soothe those January Blues. The outdoors offers a quietude that you can’t quite get anywhere else and it’s an easy, healthy and natural way to get us through the most miserable month of the year. And if you’re worried about the weather, that’s where we can help. Grangers-treated gear laughs in the face of weather-related adversity, helping to keep you warm and dry whilst outdoors. So, whatever the weather, chase away the Blue Monday blues and get outdoors with Grangers.
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