Have you ever heard of Blue Monday? Blue Monday is widely recognized as the most depressing day of the year. Blue Monday is held on the 3rd Monday of every January, and while it’s credibility may be doubted by experts, the idea of the Winter Blues is widely accepted. January might be a little bit more difficult time for people coming off the high from Christmas plus having to go back to work and school. Post Christmas, cold weather, broken NYE resolutions all make for a pretty difficult time.

We have a list of things you can do to combat Blue Monday and the feelings of sadness that are widely felt during these cold long winter months.

1. Supplement your VITAMIN D. – We broke down the importance of the sunshine vitamin in our last post. Edmonton gets very little sunlight during this time of year. Vitamin D can play a big importance in general health and mood so we recommend supplementing whilst eating vitamin rich foods.
2. Move and Shake Baby! Another way you can combat Blue Monday is to do some exercise whether it is going for a run or taking a class at a gym. Exercising releases endorphins and can help boost your mood. There are an abundance of free fitness apps and videos available online for any level. If you prefer paying for a subscription for accountability we highly recommend THE CLASS which is great for mind, body, and soul! If all else fails, put on your fav tunes and dance like no one is watching. Trust us, it works!
3. Meet a friend and have a good laugh! If you’re lucky to have some money left after Christmas, schedule a Monday night ZOOM supper with a friend—better yet, one you haven’t caught up with since Christmas, and have a really good laugh about all the silly stuff that happened over the holidays.
4. Don’t pressure yourself. If you don’t fancy doing any of these, then don’t do it! Do something instead that you’d actually enjoy. There’s always Tuesday. It might be a much better day anyway.

Above all else remember that seasonal depression is most definitely a thing. If you are struggling with feelings of lowness reach out to a medical health professional, book a therapy session, acknowledge your feelings, and remember that you are not alone.

Not sure where to go to find help or who to turn to? Consulting with your healthcare provider or another trusted professional is always a great start. You can also refer to our list of organizations with helpful resources.If you are looking for online and other resources available to support and help manage your mental health through the COVID-19 pandemic, click here.