Cure the Blue Monday blues

Remedy your Blue Monday blues in 30 minutes by following this 6-step cure. Put 30 minutes aside, and decide that you will give yourself the ultimate antidote…

Is it really the most depressing day of the year?

They say Blue Monday which falls on the 3rd Monday of January (this year the 18th of January) is the most depressing day of the year. This was said to have been calculated with a combination of metrics based off of weather, debt, time since Christmas, failing of New Years Resolutions and low motivation. Before we go further, let’s start with some good news; this concept was made up as a PR stunt.

Now that we’ve demystified and debunked the whole concept, let’s continue.

But what if I’m actually feeling blue…?

Chances are that on a Monday in the middle of January most of us are feeling a little bit blue. Throw a lockdown on top of it and many of us are so far beyond blue we’re purple. I get it. That’s why I’ve put together this Blue Monday Cure. This 6 step remedy aims to cure your blues with a “no band-aid” and “no bullshit” approach. I won’t make you dance around the room to Taylor Swift, I want us to treat the cause not the consequence. Although once you’ve gone through the 6 step process below and you want to top it off with a dance party then be my guest.

Cure the Blue Monday blues

Put 30 minutes aside, either the weekend before Blue Monday, the day of or the week after, and use this as the ultimate antidote to the toxic thoughts whirling around your head and catch them before they reach your heart.

Before you get started take 3 big deep breaths.

Deep inhale… deep exhale… deep inhale… deep exhale… deep inhale… deep exhale…

Blue Monday Remedy Part 1 : Managing Your Emotions

Take 10 minutes to watch the following video:

After watching the video take 2 minutes to answer the following questions:

  1. What are the specific emotions you’re feeling right now. Maybe you’re feeling blue; but more specifically, are you feeling bored? Are you feeling like you have nothing to look forward to? Are you feeling like there’s so much uncertainty that you can’t plan for the future? List them all out.

  2. For each of the feelings listed, what’s a lesson about yourself that you can draw from it?

  3. Using the lesson, what’s something that you can do right now, given your current resources to make it better?

  4. Decide when and where you’re going to do #3 and put it in your agenda

Blue Monday Remedy Part 2 : Bring the flow back to your brain

Follow these steps while you’re seated or standing:

  1. Reach both your arms above your head as though you’re trying to touch the ceiling

  2. Grab your left wrist with your right hand and lean to the right

  3. Grab your right wrist with your left hand and lean to the left

  4. Interlace your hands behind your back, stretch your hands as far back behind you as possible and release

  5. Place your right hand on the left side of your head and gently pull your head to the right stretching your neck

  6. Place your left hand on the right side of your head and gently pull your head to the left stretching your neck

  7. Release and make 5 big circles with your head towards the right

  8. And then 5 big circles with your head towards the left

  9. Release and take a big deep breath

There you go. You’ve just stimulated your circulation and brought your body back into a state of calm. This supports mental clarity - something we could all use a little more off.

Blue Monday Remedy Part 3 : Beat the blues

Take 10 minutes to watch the following video:

After watching the video take 5 minutes to answer the following questions:

  1. What part of my environment have I been allowing to bring me down into the blues? How can I make the most of the environment I’m in? What can I do to better accept, integrate and engage with the environment I’m in?

  2. What’s something I’m excited about, and what are 5 reasons why I’m excited about it?

  3. What’s something I can challenge myself with this week? How can I make sure I complete it? What will I tell myself when I feel that dip in motivation?

Blue Monday Remedy Part 4 : Make a promise to yourself

What is a promise you want to make to yourself right now? What message do you want to leave with your future self? Perhaps a message of hope, a commitment to yourself or a deep desire…

Write it down and put an alarm in your phone for 2 days from now to check back in with yourself and on this promise.

Blue Monday Remedy Part 5 : Get the energy back

After all those reflections, it’s time to bring the energy back into your body.

Stand up and complete the following:

  1. Take 3 big deep breaths, raising your arms with every inhale, letting your arms fall down with exhale

  2. Do 10 jumping jacks

  3. Shake out your arms and legs

  4. Find stillness, take 3 final breaths with your eyes closed

Blue Monday Remedy Part 6 : End strong

Now go hop in the shower to wash off the blues and end with 30 seconds of full blast cold water.

I really hope this 6 step Cure the Blues Process has made you feel lots better! Please let me know by tagging me @victoriasardain on Instagram how it went, how you feel and how you’re planning on flipping this Blue Monday on its head.

 
Victoria Sardain