IF YOU'VE been finding January a bit of a struggle so far then brace yourself because today is Blue Monday, the most miserable day of the year according to experts.
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| Today is Blue Monday, the most miserable day of the year according to experts |
The combination of cold weather, weight worries after Christmas and abandoned New Year’s resolutions are all believed to play a part.
Thankfully help is at hand as psychologist Jo Hemmings believes a different mindset can help turn these problems into something positive.
“There aren’t many of us who like January, it can be a rather long and dismal month,” she says.
“There are different areas in our lives that are affected by the January blues but it is possible to both manage and even beat them if you know what to do.”
Here Jo gives her top tips on how you can enjoy today and the rest of the month.
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| Start thinking of January as a month of self-indulgence rather than misery and it will pass quicker |
PAMPER YOURSELF
This winter we have mostly had unseasonably warm temperatures so this current cold snap feels especially biting.
We can’t do anything about the weather, unless you are one of the lucky ones who can take a sunshine break but you can work this to your advantage.
The cold gives you the ideal opportunity to hunker down and embrace your inner hermit.
Enjoy your weekend lie-ins or catch up on films or new TV series.
There is no need to feel guilty about not getting out or socialising as much as you are used to doing.
Having an early night or snuggling up with a book can give you a real boost.
If you start thinking of January as a month of self-indulgence rather than misery then it will pass far more quickly.
So take the opportunity to pamper yourself in whatever way you like.
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| The current cold snap has given us some beautifully crisp, clear days to go out for a walk |
BRIGHTEN UP
The mornings are still pretty dark and chances are you are going to work and coming home in the dark.
However don’t forget that we are now moving towards spring and the afternoons are noticeably lighter.
It’s no longer pitch black at 4pm and every day brings a little more light into our lives.
If you are suffering from lack of daylight during the week, make the most of your weekends by going for a walk.
One advantage of the current cold snap is the fact the days are lovely and bright.
You don’t have to go outside, sitting by a sunny south-facing window can boost mood by releasing the feel-good hormone serotonin.
BEAT THE BULGE
Putting on a few pounds over Christmas is almost unavoidable with all the entertaining, rich food and lack of exercise so be reassured that you are not alone.
Some people lose weight easily but for others it can be tough, especially since the cold weather can increase cravings for comfort food.
Adapting your diet can make all the difference.
You can still make delicious curries and casseroles but use leaner cuts of meat and low-fat yogurt instead of cream.
Try some of the healthier pulses such as quinoa instead of rice and switch to low-fat varieties of your favourite desserts or hot chocolate.
While some aspects of January such as the weather are beyond your control, you can decide to make small changes to how you eat and will see results quickly.
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| Talk to your boss about a new challenge at work or start planning your summer holiday |
OFFICE BLUES
While some people relish the idea of getting back into a normal working routine, for others, dragging themselves back to work again in the cold and dark is unbearable.
If you have really dreaded going back to work, this could be the ideal time to think about changing your job.
Perhaps you need a new direction?
If you don’t want to try something new then think about what you can do to make your working day more enjoyable.
Talk to your boss about a new challenge or start planning your summer holiday.
Looking at pictures of sun-drenched beach resorts and thinking about where you would like to go can be a real mood booster.
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| Getting back into fitness in January can be a challenge when you’re feeling sluggish |
FEEL THE BURN
Even if you are used to regular exercise, getting back into fitness in January can be a challenge when you’re feeling sluggish.
However in this case you just need to get out there and do it, as it’s always the first time back to the gym that is the most difficult.
Once you’ve been a couple of times, feel-good endorphins will kick in that will help keep you on track.
You won’t be the only one feeling this way so enlist a friend who is suffering from a similar lack of motivation and get started together.
KEEP YOUR RESOLVE
Chances are by now that your New Year’s resolutions have already bitten the dust.
Studies have shown that yesterday was the day most people slip back into their old habits.
If you have given up your resolutions then have a think about whether they were realistic in the first place.
You are much more likely to keep your resolve if you give yourself a realistic and achievable goal.
Setting yourself an overly ambitious target is almost guaranteed to end in failure.
Go back and look at your resolutions and modify them to make them more achievable.
Stay positive, one bad day doesn’t have to make a bad month so keep going.
Jo Hemmings’s findings are inspired by the character Mark Watney in The Martian, who turns to music to keep upbeat while marooned on a desolate planet.
The Martian is out on Digital HD on January 25.
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