4 tips to beat Blue Monday

Blue Monday is historically the most depressing day of the year. We’ve got no money, we’ve forgotten about our new year’s resolutions and to make it even worse, it’s still dark outside 24/7. To make this Blue Monday somewhat bearable we have 4 tips to lift your mood and get you back in your mojo.

1. Make a sleep schedule

Sleep has a dramatic effect on your mood and overall wellbeing. The more sleep deprived you are the more irritable, hostile and stressed out you may become. Making sure you get a good night’s sleep can boost your mood and give you that much needed ‘reset’ after the hectic Christmas schedule.

Create a bedtime routine. Having a set routine signals to your brain that it is time to switch off. The majority of us are glued to our screens from morning until night. The blue light emitted from mobile and tablets inhibits melatonin production preventing you from getting a quality night’s sleep. Turning your phone off an hour before bed will increase the likelihood of having a better night's sleep, allowing your brain to switch off before bed. To make it extra luxurious, pop on your favourite pyjamas, grab your favourite book and spritz your pillow with the BeYou Sleep Pillow Mist.

2. Cook some comfort food

There is nothing quite like having your favourite meal at the end of a long day. Remember, it’s called comfort food for a reason. We might not have the cash to splurge on a fancy meal out or our favourite takeaway but that doesn’t have to stop you from indulging. When you have a dip in your mood, any time of the year, self-care should be at the forefront of your mind. And what better self-care is there than making yourself a delicious meal!

New year’s resolutions generally fall by the wayside at this time. Whether you’ve chosen to make healthier food choices or you’ve taken up Veganuary, food is central to a lot of our goals. However, beating yourself up because you’ve slipped up will only bring your mood down. Grab some fresh ingredients, get in the kitchen and get cooking. Cook with your partner, housemate or your mum to beat the Blue Monday blues together.

3. Get active

If you’ve fallen off the exercise wagon, going back to the gym can seem daunting. Like food, becoming more active is one of the most popular new year’s resolutions out there. However, working out can have a great impact on your mood. Pumping fresh blood around your body encourages your brain to release endorphins or ‘happy hormones’. The hormones have been attributed to boosting your mood.

Whether it’s just a stroll around the block or heading back to your favourite exercise class, getting active means you can tick one thing off your self care list. You may be beating yourself up about falling out of your exercise routine, so even popping out for a 10-minute walk and breathing in the fresh air will lift the Blue Monday mist.

4. Plan ahead

It may look like a long week until payday but that doesn’t mean you don’t have something to look forward to. Get together your friends or family and plan something fun for you to all to do. This will be something exciting for you all to look forward to and plan towards. It doesn’t even have to break the bank. Self care can take many forms so plotting in time with your friends and family should be on your list. Why not schedule a movie marathon or a 'Come Dine with Me' evening where each of your cooks a different course and one provides entertainment.

Bonding with your loved ones and spending quality time with them will inevitably boost your mood. If you can’t organise something with your friends, block out some time just for you. Is there a new coffee spot in town you want to check out or a new exhibition you want to see? Choose a date in your calendar and take yourself out. Spending quality time by yourself, doing something you love, beats the Blue Monday blues while getting the me-time you deserve.

Beating the Blue Monday blues can seem like an impossible feat but making self care a priority will ease the sluggish feeling of the worst Monday of the year. Are you feeling blue this Monday? How are you fighting back the blues? Comment below, we love to hear what you guys have to say. Share this blog on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram so we can beat Blue Monday together.