17th January 2022
Blue Monday is the 3rd Monday of January, considered as the most depressing day of the year. Factors contributing to lower mood levels include weather, failed New Year’s resolutions, debts due to the Christmas holidays, low motivation levels and a need of urgency to take action. The pandemic is another factor which can have negative effects on our mental health, triggering mental health conditions or exacerbating existing ones.
Blue Monday can be used as a good reminder that we should take care of our mental health and wellbeing, not only today but every day of the year. With this in mind, we wanted to share a few suggestions which can help you elevate your mood
Staying in touch with the people we love and trust can improve our mental health and reduce stress levels. The best way is to have a face-to-face catch up but if that’s not an option then video calls are a good alternative.
Also don’t forget to check up on family and friends, specially if they are in isolation due to Covid. A short text can brighten someone’s day.
Being active isn’t only good for your physical health but it can also improve your mental health and wellbeing. Exercising can reduce anxiety, stress levels and help improve self-esteem. There are many ways you can incorporate physical activities in your busy life so take a look at NHS’s Get active your way guidance.
Mental health can also be affected by our eating and drinking habits, so try to have a healthy and balanced diet and drink plenty of water.
Exploring new hobbies and/or practising old ones can help you stay positive and focused. There is also a long list of available online courses, which may help you unlock hidden talents and learn new skills. More information can be found on:
Where to find free online learning | Find a course | National Careers Service
Mental health is very important so don’t ignore it. If you need more information visit: Mental Health UK – Forward Together (mentalhealth-uk.org)
Do you work, or have you worked for the automotive industry? Then you can also check https://ben.org.uk/ which is a charity that supports people of the automotive industry.