10 Ways to Beat Blue Monday

Even if you don’t buy into the Blue Monday hype, we could all use some cheer in January. With the festive period behind us and dark, wintry days stretching ahead, a positivity boost is a welcome interruption to brighten people’s days.

Our operations team has been working hard to keep spirits high this January, with surprises and shenanigans scheduled each week. If you are feeling the January hump slump, use some of the tips from iTech’s mood-boosting experts below to inject a little sunshine into your day.

1. Reach out to a friend, co-worker, or family member. If January has you feeling down, chances are others are feeling blue as well. Call a friend or family member that makes you feel happy. It’s easy to become a recluse in January but socializing with positive people can cheer us up. At iTech, we’ve organized two virtual random coffee breaks to help people feel more social from home.
2. Schedule self-care. New Year resolutions, work, and family commitments can leave us feeling exhausted in January. Make wellbeing a priority and schedule self-care time into your routine. Whether it’s a bubble bath, a pedicure, or a creative outlet, taking time for yourself will leave you feeling rested and content.
3. Get outdoors. Numerous scientific studies show the positive effects nature has on our mental health. It can reduce stress levels and leave us feeling happier. Next time you go for a stroll, turn off phone notifications and go when it’s daylight out for maximum benefit.
4. Exercise. Like the outdoors, exercise provides us with a range of benefits. If January has you feeling down, find a fun workout. The focus here is on boosting your mood over losing weight or training; make the exercise as silly and enjoyable as possible. Whether it’s dancing, a family sports day, or hula-hooping, invite others to get involved and spread the good vibes.
5. Plan an activity. After the festive frivolities of December, the middle of January can feel… meh. Break the monotony and plan small diversions from your routine where possible. iTech has hired the comedian Paul McCaffrey for a virtual stand-up session to add some excitement to the day and get those endorphins flowing. As for what you can do yourself, try plotting a new running route or experimenting with a new recipe or hobby, for instance. Even minor breaks from our routine can inject some excitement into our day.
6. Avoid financial stressors. While it’s tempting to embrace Parks and Rec’s “treat yo’self” life philosophy, January is a financially lean month for many. Any temporary dopamine hit received when buying an item will be outweighed by the credit card stress later. Just avoid it.
7. Spread kindness. Now more than ever, it can feel difficult to give or receive kindness in our days. Yet even the smallest gesture can produce a hearty boost of happiness in others. Compliment a co-worker, send friends and family a message of gratitude, or assist a vulnerable neighbor.
8. Avoid negativity. If we’re feeling vulnerable, it’s easy to compound negative thoughts and send ourselves into the blues. January is the perfect time to take stock of influences in your life and decide what needs to go. Remove negative influences from your social media and avoid magazines or media that make you feel bad about yourself, particularly if you suffer from “comparisonitis”. Life’s too short to feel like you’re not enough.
9. Play a game with your co-workers. Working from home can make the days feel monotonous. Add some fun to your meetings in January and organize games to end each session. Drawing challenges, ‘most likely to’ questions, and online multiplayer games such as skribbl are all simple options guaranteed to get your team laughing. Even changing your Zoom background can make meetings feel more fun.
10. Eat a nourishing meal. Whether it’s intended to nourish your body or soul, plan a special dish one evening. Food often reminds us of happy occasions or memories, plus it gives you something to look forward to in the day. This year, iTech has given its employees a budget to buy lunch from Uber Eats on Blue Monday.

Have you or your workplace got a tip for surviving January? Share your tips for kickstarting good vibes below:👇