5 Ways to Abolish the January Blues

5 Ways To Abolish the January Blues

January can feel like a month of Mondays. In fact, one particular Monday in January is so bleak it even has its own name -- Blue Monday!

In 2018, Blue Monday falls on 15th January. It's the third Monday of January and is said to be the most humdrum day in the 2018 calendar.

Why? The story goes that in 2005, Sky Travel came up with the date as part of a publicity campaign. It was almost believable - given that a university lecturer put his name to the 'research' and even created a mathematical equation along with it.

Yet although the idea of Blue Monday has been written off as nonsensical, we can't help but wonder: is there any truth in it? After all, January can a pretty miserable time of year. So if you are feeling particularly blue today, and if January feels positively interminable, here are some tips on how to brighten up your working week:

1) Get Out More
It’s amazing what a glimmer of sunlight and a lungful of fresh air can do. Refresh your day with a lunchtime walk or find an excuse to nip outside before it gets dark. You know, to check the pointing on the brickwork. Or to feed the sparrows. Whatever your reason for escaping the office for a few minutes, it's amazing how much better you'll feel after a dose of winter sunshine.

2) Let Go of the Guilt
So you made a New Year resolution and you didn't stick to it? Join the club! This report suggests that approximately 80% of resolutions fail by the second week of February. So here's our advice: don't fret over it! There's a wonderful mantra: 'If at first you don't succeed, try, try again'. If you're bent on beating the resolution curse, simply try, try again.

3) Share and Share Alike
If you have a nagging concern, start by getting it off your chest. A problem shared is a problem halved - so if something's making you feel down, find someone you trust and spill the beans. You never know, they might even come up with the perfect solution.

4) Eat Healthily
January is the traditional time of year when we all try to detox after the Christmas binge. Going cold turkey might not be the answer, but a commitment to eating a little more healthily can do wonders for your overall wellbeing. These tips can help.

5) Book a Holiday
If all else fails, give yourself something to look forward to! There are some sizzling hot holiday deals to be found right now. What better way to combat the blues than to research your next sun-soaked break? It's guaranteed to brighten your mood. Trust us - we've tried it!

Do you have any tips to share? Let us know @UBCoffices or facebook/UBCUK