It's normal to feel January blues

It’s normal to feel January blues

By: Natasha Archary

The January blues is often associated with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) which can also be felt during Summer.

If you feel like the start of this month is bluer than blue, rest assured you’re not alone. It’s normal to feel down at the start of a new year.

Many people experience a lull in January, once the “high” of the festive season and a break from the office is over.

The first Monday back to work is often the hardest as most return to a regular routine after a two week break.

However, Blue Monday, which is the most depressing day of the year is actually the third Monday in January.

This year it falls on 15 January and it’s usually around the time that life returns to normal.

Back to school, early mornings, late nights, hours spent in traffic, loadshedding and bank balances slipping into the red are some of the reasons for the January blues.

Whilst it’s not full-blown depression, the exhaustion after the holiday season can lead to low moods.

For most living with depression, the notion that the condition is linked to a date and can be switched of thereafter is misleading.

As it implies that January blues is not serious and typically goes away after the 15 January.

Here are a few tips to beat the blues this January:

Ditch the resolutions and focus on goals instead

Resolutions set you up for disappointment, causing people to lose motivation and feel depressed. Working on short term goals can help track progress which can improve your mood.

Get outside as much as possible

It’s tough to go from spending summer days soaking up the sun to being office bound. Take breaks during your work day and go outside if you can.

Take small steps to keeping active and fit

Exercise can improve mental health by reducing anxiety, depression and negative mood. By increasing the levels of feel-good hormones, keeping active can improve self-esteem and alleviate social withdrawal.

Sleep well

Lack of sleep can affects your psychological state and mental health. Getting enough sleep can help regulate our emotions in the long run.

Take some time out to yourself

This is not to be mistaken to mean isolating yourself. There’s a marked difference between loneliness and alone time. Spending time by yourself can help to realign your energy and focus.

Also read: Boost your mental health by eating well

Written by: Natasha

January blues Mental health New Year seasonal affective disorder

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