It's Blue Monday and here how to beat it
It's easy to feel down around this time - The holiday cheer has faded and you're cranky, bored, and left with a bloated belly, an irregular sleep pattern, and an all-too-distant payday.
The birth of the Blue -
The day of depression was first coined by Dr. Cliff Arnall, a lecturer at the University of Cardiff in South Wales, in 2005.
Deep breaths... -
Fortune reports that Arnall's algorithm looks like this: [W + (D-d)] x Tq ÷ [M x Na]. How one uses the algorithm, however, remains unclear to academics.
The formula is flawed - Since it takes into account weather conditions, it only applies to the Northern Hemisphere.
But Arnall says most people have got it wrong - In 2018, Arnall told The Independent newspaper that it was "never his intention to make the day sound negative.
He wanted the opposite -
It was rather "to inspire people to take action and make bold life decisions" and to encourage a positive outlook as an opportunity for new beginnings.
He even started a hashtag - His Twitter account labels him as a psychologist, life coach, and happiness consultant, as well as an “activist to #StopBlueMonday.”
There's a reason it became so popular - The reality of the situation is that a lot of people do feel immensely blue at this time of year, precisely because of factors mentioned in Arnall's equation.
Actual research proves that people aren't happy - According to The Weather Channel, findings of a survey of 2,000 people show that just 5% are at their happiest during this time of year.
Blue Monday might be real for you - If all of the equation's factors happen to fall heavily on your shoulders this Monday, there are ways to beat it!
Skip it! - Catch up on some reading or watch some Netflix instead of forcing yourself to do things that don't make you happy.
Do something nice for someone else - The best and most sustainable form of happiness is when you share it with someone else.
Refresh your home -
There's nothing that says new beginnings and fresh starts like throwing away everything that no longer gives you joy.
Make healthier choices - Eat foods that will combat your bloating, boost your mood, and help you hit those New Year's resolutions.
Keep up an active routine - It's easy to hibernate indoors when it's cold outside, but forcing yourself to get some exercise will make you happier in the long run.
Take up all those non-summer activities - Remember when you ditched projects to go enjoy the sun outside? Now's the time to do those creative indoor activities.
See your friends and family - Just because the holiday season is over doesn't mean you can't enjoy company, even if it's on Zoom or other apps.
Meditate - Meditation can help you focus your goals and stay in the moment, cutting out needless and futile worrying.