Today is Blue Monday! How are you feeling? You don’t have to feel down as this idea was originally made up simply for commercial gain – to help a travel company sell holidays. But it can resonate with us.
The combination of dark days, financial pressure after the spending from Christmas, and lack of motivation about resolutions can contribute to feeling down
What can we do to reduce any “blue” feelings?
Get some light to offset the dark. Sunlight is the best but as this is unlikely a candle, electric or battery lights can make a great difference.
Connect with other people rather than being on your own. Phone or text can be powerful if you can’t meet up in person.
Make time to do something to bring you pleasure. We can be too busy doing what we “should” do but time spent looking at nature and seeing the beauty in snowdrops or winter trees is beneficial. Making something, doing something different or new can shake up your mood for the better. Doctors are using “social prescribing” to help people shake off a feeling of flatness which can include gardening, volunteering and simply joining a group doing something you have always wanted to try.
Take life less seriously and laugh.
I am a member of a comedy improvisation group and know that spending time laughing definitely helps to bring joy into my life. Interestingly you don’t have to be clever or even try to be funny.
I am also a member of a networking group that meets face to face. We have a guest speaker each month and to help beat any January blues this month have Stephanie Hill of Fizziology who has made a career out of helping to make people laugh. The science is undeniable – laughing helps in a myriad of ways – both mental and physical.
If you are a businesswoman in Gloucestershire and can get to Stroud or Nailsworth you would be most welcome. The meeting is on Thursday 29th January and is being held at a new venue in Nailsworth – the Natural Cookery School. Please look at the Stroud Business Women’s Network website