Three weeks into the New Year and we have hit what is now called Blue Monday – said to be the most depressing day of the year.

This article will share with you possible causes and what you can do about them.

Post Christmas slump

Christmas preparations and celebrations take up so much mental and physical energy that, whether you had a good Christmas or not, it can make January feel like a big yawn stretching out before you.

Possible Cure:  Get yourself a planner and plot some things you would like to do this year to make it a really good one.  They don’t have to be big or expensive, just nice things to look forward to.

Relationship(s) under strain

With all that enforced confinement and jollity, relationships can become quite stressful.

Possible Cure:  Talk, without blame, so you understand each other’s position and how to move forward.  Give each other a bit of space.  Relationships are complex and this may be far too simplistic but it will be a good start.

New Year expectations i

New Year’s Eve is supposed to be exciting and fun with sparkling drinks, sparkling company and sparkling skies.  But it, like Christmas, can also be the loneliest time and causes you to question whether your life has really come to a cup of cocoa in front of the box and an early night.

Possible Cure:  Nurture (or develop) friendships that make you feel good and spend quality time with those people.  It should never be one day in the year.

New Year expectations ii

And then we have the commitments we have made to ourselves and, for the vast majority of those who have made resolutions, the realisation that, once again, you have failed yourself.

Possible Cure:  Revisit why you set the resolution and develop a plan to get you back on track.  Email me for my easy to follow guidelines. tricia@triciawoolfrey.com.

Debt

In our push to make this the best Christmas ever, and to take advantage of the January ‘bargains’ all but the most careful will have succumbed to debt to fund it.

Possible Cure:  This can be worrying, especially if your Christmas debt is piled on top of other debts you already hold.  Contact Citizens Advice for help.  https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/resources-and-tools/search-navigation-tools/Search/?c=HOME&q=debt

It’s cold out there

Let’s face it, most of us feel a lot better when the sun is shining so it goes without saying that gloomy weather can lead to gloomy spirits.

Possible Cure:  Cold can be cosy.  Do what you can to make yourself nice and cosy at home:  candles, a lovely throw and comforting hot drinks.  Or punctuate your week with a pub lunch where there is a roaring fire to enjoy.  And don’t forget your vitamin D:  foods, supplements and daylight are great sources.  Email me for a list.  tricia@triciawoolfrey.com.

Already depressed

If you already suffer from depression, then Blue Monday only exacerbates it.

Possible Cure:  Do seek professional help so that you are supported and have robust strategies to help you overcome the depression.  If you are not sure, do feel free to call on 0345 130 0854.

Whether your mood is low temporarily, or you are suffering from a general feeling of depression, you don’t have to suffer alone.  To find out how I could help you feel better about yourself and about life do get in touch.  You’ll be glad you did.

In the meantime, do check out my page which talks a bit more about depression.