Beat the Winter Woes this Blue Monday

Known as being the most miserable Monday of the year, Blue Monday typically falls on the third Monday in January, and has been awarded the gloomy title due to a combination of post-Christmas blues, cold dark nights, and dwindling motivation to keep up with those new year’s resolutions.

With Christmas and New Year well behind us, January’s endless grey skies and the icy grips of winter seem to be never-ending, so it’s easy to see why some of us get a little down at this time of year. But fear not, we have some great tips to help you stay on track with your goals and bring a little sunshine into your life to beat those winter blues.

Keep Active

When the days are short, and your mood is dropping as quickly as the temperature, it can be very tempting to skip your early morning run or a session at the gym. However, exercise can be a very important factor for combatting low moods. Keeping active and making sure you are getting the recommended 150 minutes of moderate cardiovascular activity each week is a sure way to keep you feeling physically well, as well as combatting feelings of low mood.

Get outside

Spending time outdoors in natural daylight is another way to keep on top of the winter blues. Although it might be tempting to stay bundled up indoors, a brisk walk in the crisp air can help blow away the cobwebs and leave you feeling refreshed. 

Eat Well

Motivation for sticking to new year’s resolutions may be dwindling, and the cravings for carbs and sugary treats may leave you reaching for the biscuit tin. Whilst these foods provide a temporary high, they can also cause a slump later. Eating a well-balanced diet rich in vegetables, fruits, good-fats and protein will help to keep you healthy as well as making you feel good. For an added boost, Forever Daily is a powerful daily multivitamin that delivers 100% of the daily recommended allowance of essential vitamins and bio-available minerals and nutrients, including; vitamins A, C, D and B12, iron, calcium and zinc.

Establish a routine

Developing and maintaining a routine for sleep is a great way to ease you through the darker months. Sticking to a regular sleep pattern can help to promote a better sleep, and leave you feeling refreshed so that the darker mornings seem a bit less of a struggle. 

Spend time with others

The winter months can be tough; the Christmas parties are over and the temptation to hibernate at home is strong. But social interaction is a well-known factor in lifting our mood. Make sure to book time in your diary to socialise with others, be that dinner with friends, a walk with your family, or even a lunch date or coffee with other FBOs, socialising can really help boost your mood.

As the darker days set in, and the weather turns cold, it’s important to make sure you protect your mental health and wellbeing. These simple, but effective tips can help to combat the feelings of low mood and help you to feel a little more uplifted this Blue Monday and beyond.  

What are your ways of combatting the winter woes? Let us know in the comments below.