Blue Monday is considered the most depressing day of the year and usually falls on the 3rd Monday of January. Discover its origin and, above all, how not to succumb to the call of the mermaid.
Origin of Blue Monday
It was in 2005 that Sky Travel's British advertising campaign mentioned this Blue Monday. In fact, according to them, the 3rd Monday of January would be the most depressing day of the year because :
- it's a Monday: considered the worst day of the week for many the pay has not yet fallen
- holiday expenses have left bank accounts high and dry
- the weather is often not very nice
- good resolutions are a distant memory
Blue Monday Formula
with : W Weather, (D-d) debt (difference between debts incurred during the holiday season and the actual ability to repay before the next payday), T Time (time since Christmas), Q (time since our New Year's resolutions), M (lack of motivation), Na (need to act)
source: Wikipedia
This formula, developed in advance and signed by Cliff Arnall, a psychologist and former tutor at Cardiff University, would not make sense, however, according to its signatory. However, this one does have the merit of highlighting this period experienced as difficult and depressing by many people.
A publicity stunt or a bout of the blues?
Obviously, given the history of this name, there is a good chance that this Blue Monday is a marketing stunt because Sky Travel wanted to promote through this campaign the benefits of travel in January and that Cliff Arnall was also commissioned to calculate the best day of the year that would fall according to him on the 3rd Friday of June and that for.... an ice cream brand!
Obviously, given the history of this name, there is a good chance that this Blue Monday is a marketing stunt because Sky Travel wanted to promote through this campaign the benefits of travel in January and that Cliff Arnall was also commissioned to calculate the best day of the year that would fall according to him on the 3rd Friday of June and that for.... an ice cream brand!
The tone is set: the Blue Monday is a comedic affair under the guise of psychological observations and insights. The real depression that some people feel in this period is not limited only to this day, as long as this famous Monday is sunny...
Indeed, this period is prone to provoke different feelings of uneasiness more or less temporary going from the punctual and isolated blow of blues to the real seasonal depression.
What if you suffer from seasonal depression?
The seasonal depression is recognized as a psychological illness spanning from late November to early March. The feeling of inner emptiness is strong and paralyzing.
Down mood should not be confused with seasonal depression. The latter is continuous, every day and must be seriously monitored by a professional.
How to overcome the winter blues?
The winter is a little death. Life returns to the roots while waiting for the next spring. It is a period of latency, of in-between, of rest, of reset. As you observe nature, you notice that everything is in slow motion, as if suspended. Exactly the same thing is happening within us except that we have completely disconnected ourselves from this nature, our nature. It is therefore normal to feel like staying at home, doing nothing and waiting for spring to come back. In the old days, farmers took advantage of this period to rest, sharpen their tools and gently prepare for the return of good weather.
Reconnect with your small pleasures
Visiting a loved one, drinking coffee with a friend, sharing a good meal, going to the hairdresser, going out to the movies, going for a walk, getting a massage, treating yourself (or someone else) to sessions with a therapist are all ways to reconnect with small pleasures of daily life. By opening yourself up to life, you give yourself every chance of getting through the January blues.
Do a resource activity
When you are not well, your motivation is almost nil. Reconnect with an activity that gives you pleasure, whether it is physical or artistic. The idea is to give yourself moments to yourself during which you put your mind at rest while indulging a passion. It is extremely rewarding, rejuvenating and galvanizing. You reconnect with your deepest aspirations, you clear your mind: you practice a meditation without realizing it! It is no longer necessary to prove the numerous benefits of meditation on the body and on the mind.
When the belly goes, everything goes!
Scientific studies have been coming out every year for the past ten years, all agreeing on the importance of a quality microbiota for good mental health. In fact, your intestines contain as many neurons as the brain of a small dog! 95% of serotonin is synthesized from your intestinal flora before being "sent" to your brain via the vagus nerve. That's how crucial what you eat is to your physical and mental health. Take a probiotic cure and choose prebiotic foods to feed the good bacteria: lacto-fermented drinks and dishes (sauerkraut, komboucha, kefir...), fibers...
Saffron, a natural anti-depressant
In addition to calm and rest, you can call upon plants. Saffron is a recognized natural anti-depressant. Studies have shown that it helps in the synthesis of serotonin, which is the hormone of good health. mood and would be just as effective as synthetic antidepressants whose effects are sometimes questionable.
Vitamin D, concentrated sunlight
From November to March, a daily dose of vitamin D is recommended. It is synthesized by the skin under the action of UVB rays from the sun. 80% of the Western population would be in deficit. This vitamin helps to consolidate bones by combining with calcium but not only! It protects against cancer and plays an important role in stabilizing mood.
To make up for the lack of sunlight, take a course of natural vitamin D in the form of a dietary supplement. The dosage will depend on the laboratory instructions.
To conclude before Blue Monday
Blue Monday may be a huge marketing strategy, but that doesn't stop us from recognizing this as a depressing time for many of us. These few natural tips invite you to take care of yourself and especially not to consider winter depression as a fatality. However, if you are in pain, consult a professional counsellor!