Blue Monday is apparently the most depressing day of the year. That’s why I am sharing 10 ways to beat Blue Monday this year. So here is how to prepare for Monday 16th January!
Let’s be honest, January sucks! This year I suspect we are all feeling the pinch a little more. plus the news is depressing and it’s cold. But we will not let Blue Monday beat us! Here are some ideas to help you all.
10 ways to beat Blue Monday this year
1.A Sunday well spent
If it’s going to be a naff one, why not make sure your Sunday is perfect. Do all the things you love today. Or get a step ahead of the week by planning ahead.
It’s been a total game changer for me since I started prepping the night before. So make sure your breakfast and lunch are ready to pick up and go. Pack your bag for the day ahead and grab an early night. Blue Monday you will thank you. I promise!
2.Positive affirmations
Start your day with a big dose of positivity. Here are some that could help today in particular.
- I’m happy and excited for the day ahead
- I believe in the good things to come
- I have let go of negativity
- I’ll see good in today
- I’m happy to go to work
Honestly, a change in mindset can instantly flip any day. So give it a go this Blue Monday.
3.Dress for the day
I’m sure we are all guilty of having a lovely outfit in our wardrobe that we are saving for a special occasion don’t we? Well now is that special occasion! Honestly, wearing something you love is one of the best feelings. Putting a spring in your step and an unstoppable smile on your face!
If newly washed Pjs are what will make you happy, do that!
4.Be Kind
Use today as a reason to do something kind for someone else. Now we can all be together again, throwing kindness around like glitter is more important than ever.
5. Shower yourself in self care
No matter what form your self care takes, make sure you practice it today. If that’s a nice coffee and pastry before work or an hour in the bath with a book at the end of the day. You need to indulge yourself. Schedule it in to your diary and really make time for it.
6. Take some exercise
Today might be the best day to get active, maybe brush off the gym gear. It would be a real mood booster. Whatever you exercise of choice, It will raise your heartbeat and get those endorphins going.
7. Hinch yourself happy
For some, cleaning is just something that has to be done. For me though a quick half an hour tidy up can really improve my mood. Why not have a quick tidy round and relax safe in the knowledge that your jobs are done.
8. Call friends or family
OK, we’ve slowly been able to spend more time with friends and family and lets be honest, we are loving it! But most of us will be working today which means it’s not always possible to see our loved ones. This doesn’t mean we shouldn’t try though.
Today, why not pick up the phone and have a real chat, or a facetime with someone you know will help you beat blue Monday. Maybe call someone you know will be struggling today. Either way, a catch up is a great way to feel instantly brighter.
9. Eat whatever will make you happy
I am sure we are all still on the January health kick aren’t we? But today is different. If you’re really not feeling it, maybe comfort food is a way to raise a smile. Of course you can make it healthy, your comfort could be health food or you might just need cake.
Just know that today it is OK to eat cake and drink wine!
10. If all else fails….
Go to bed! No one can tell you not to, put the day behind you ready to tackle a ‘Terrific Tuesday’. An early night might be the kindest thing you can do for yourself today.
Now you are fully prepared to beat Blue Monday! Whatever the day throws at you, throw something right back at it! You own this day… It does not own you!
What are your top tips for surviving Blue Monday or do you ignore it?
These are great suggestions any time you’re having a blue day. Thanks for sharing, Claire.
I agree, we need to remember that any we should be mindful our our wellbeing x
These are some great suggestions. Although sometimes I forget what day is Monday as I seem to loose track of the days. I have recently in the last week and a bit made a conscious effort to get up washed and dressed for the day. It has made me feel a lot better even though I am not going anywhere. I have been keeping in contact with the rest of my family and my partner which is bitter sweet as I love seeing their faces on a video call but it is upsetting I can’t spend proper quality time with them all. Thank you for sharing these suggestions Claire.
Lauren http://www.bournemouthgirl.com
Thanks Lauren. I have got my favourite dress on today because the last few days have been pretty tough and I do feel brighter… Although the yummy coffee I am hammering today could also be helping!
I’ve been making Sunday a time when I treat myself and my mom to really good takeout food and trying to turn in early. Those are the ways I’m trying to fight off blue Mondays.
I’ll definitely look into trying some of your other tips.
Liz
http://www.piecesofliz.com
That sounds like the perfect way to spend Sunday x
Wow, I didn’t know that Blue Monday exists! This is a very, very interesting topic and information overall! But now when I know about it, I am a little bit nervous! 😀
Anyway, thank you for all the useful information and tips. I will definitely buy wine and cake and be ready for whatever comes! 😉
Oh I am sorry, I hope Blue Monday was kind to you though x
Good tips! I like point no.3 the most. That’s what I do to kick the Monday blues away. Thank you for sharing your tips.
Monday blues are definitely a thing aren’t they x
Really great tips here! I especially agree with the affirmations, exercise, and eating what you feel like – basically looking after yourself in every way possible xx
I think at the root of it all, Self care is key x
Love these tips, Claire, such a great dose of positivity! I hadn’t realised 18 January was Blue Monday but I will make sure I have a good Sunday and dig out some favourite gladrags for Monday now 🙂 x
I love a good Sunday, it certainly sets the week up right x
Definitely all the good vibes .. being in a happy place with yourself and surroundings!
http://beautyofcafe205.blog/
Some great suggestions for the whole of January, nevermind Blue Monday. January is often difficult mentally, physically and emotionally. I’m looking forward to calling my mum on terrific tuesday 🙂
I agree, I think we could all do with these all year round to be honest x
That is so true!
I didn’t realise the 18th was Blue Monday! I will definitely be having a Sunday well spent – I have got so much planned despite being at home!
I’ve never heard of Blue Monday before. Many of these tips would also be useful on any Monday (or other day) of the year too.
Love these tips to beat Mondayitis! I often plan my week on a Sunday and also make sure I’ve done a lot of self-care to recharge. I do this by doing things that make me such as spending time with my family, catching up with friends and doing my favourite hobbies.
A sunday well spent and all that, it is so true x
Totally agree that exercise really makes a difference! And even though we’re WFH, getting dressed also really helps doesn’t it! Gx
I have got my favourite dress on today and I feel so much better for it x
I love the variety of tips here that can work for just about anyone. I’ll be happy if I just manage a shower on Blue Monday to be honest!
Hahaha yes but you’ve got a new baby, a shower is a luxury some days isn’t it x
Honestly I don’t even know when Blue Monday is? I really like Monday’s haha, so I don’t tend to feel like I need to do anything special to make me feel better. But these are great tips for any day really when you need a pick me up!
Most definitely transferable. I quite like Mondays! Wednesday seems to be the worst day of the week for me. It alternates between wanky Wednesday or weepy Wednesday!
I am loving these tips for Monday blue busters although I am loving my journey and the Monday’s have been great
Monday has never been too bad for me as well actually. Wednesday’s normally suck!
Great tips. Thank you for sharing. I’ll definitely be applying these
Hope they helped x x
I love how you said that if all fails, go to bed! That’s exactly what I would do too! x
Lucy | http://www.lucymary.co.uk
I love my bed so much!
Aw this is a lovely idea! Showering yourself with self-care is such a cute suggestion for this Monday, I hope you have a positive day x
I hope yours was a good Monday and no Blue x
Thanks for sharing your suggestions for beating the Blue Monday that is coming up, I think also listening to the song Blue Monday by New Order helps to as a good sing-along helps 🙂
I love that song. A good sing song is a great mood booster for me x
Lovely post and great suggestions! I’m going to be doing some yoga and hinching today I think!
Sounds like a great way to spend a Saturday!
Some great tips to beat the blues through self care. I’ll be following them!
I love self care, I certainly make more time for it now than ever before x
Some fab suggestions! I always find that a quick tidy up always boosts my mood and even if I don’t feel like doing exercise it really does make me feel great afterwards!
Tash – A Girl with a View
Yes, I agree. A keep clean frees your mind a little I think x
Great tips! My energy always dips on a Monday so I’m expecting an even bigger lull this week. (It’s my husband’s birthday tomorrow so it’s anticipating that natural low after a good day PLUS blue Monday!)
I’m just going to have a duvet day and avoid people I think haha. 🙂
I love a duvet day, it’s good for the soul x
These are such great ideas to beat Monday blues! Positive affirmations do play a big role! The last option is awesome 😉😁
It’s always a great option!
Positive affirmations do help me too!! I should try your suggestion of wearing an outfit that’ll make me feel good. My go-to outfits have been either workout clothes (on the days I do exercise) or a baggy shirt & leggings/shorts 😂Eating a bite of chocolate also helps my mood when I feel blue!
Mine too clothes wise, but I do feel great when I make an effort x x
These are fab tips! I feel like with blue Monday people hear about it and then think it’s going to be a sad day so they are sad. However, if you make an effort to stay positive you can have a much better day x
I agree, it is easy to fall in to the trap, but also really easy to turn it around x
I suffer from depression and SAD and January is always my hardest month of the year. So I normally practice loads of self-care and try to really focus on myself.
Self care is so important all year round x x
These are some really great suggestions. I always find that cleaning puts me in a better mood too.
Yes me to. It clears the mind x x
This is a good read!
Looking forward to more of your articles. 🙂
Thank you x
Some great suggestions here, it’s the daily walks that are keeping me going here, although did get soaked the other day
The weather needs to pick up to March lockdown standards pretty quickly lol x x
I love this!! Obviously we can’t chose to write off every day and go back to bed, but I’m definitely going to be adopting more of these as part of my every week! I used to be so good at prepping the night before but I’ve really lost that – time to get back to it.
Great post!
I think it’s important to accept that some days are just rubbish, but knowing how to shake that off is really important x
Getting dressed and doing a quick workout always works wonders for me!
Katy | http://www.katystephenson.com
Me too, it’s a definite mood booster x x