12 Ways To Beat Blue Monday
Blue Monday is upon us *queue the dramatic music*. The day this time of year most of us feel depressed after the Holidays when kids go back to school and we go back to work.
Instead of hanging our heads and wallowing in self pity I decided to find ways to beat Blue Monday and feel happy.
Table of Contents
Get Active
I can hear you cringe already…Active on a Monday…..in cold January? But yes, do something to release those feel good hormones called endorphins.
For me that would mean getting my Yoga gear on and start with a few Sun Salutations.
So pick an activity you like and do it first thing in the morning. Just for 15-20 minutes.
I promise you will feel better afterwards.
Do Good
Doing something positive for someone also makes you feel good. Go out and help that elderly neighbor with her grocery shopping, check in with a friend who could use some cheering up, help an older person cross the street or walk someone’s dog.
It doesn’t have to be big: Just a random act of kindness will give you great satisfaction and some good Karma somewhere along the way.
Play Some Feel Good Music
Instead of playing New Order’s Blue Monday (and by the way, we love that song every other day of the year) play music that makes you feel happy. I have a feel good playlist, which I play the moment I feel a case of the blues coming up.
To give you some inspiration, here are my Top 10 Feel Good songs:
- David Bowie – Let’s Dance
- Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars – Uptown Funk
- Outkast – Hey Ya!
- Tom Browne – Funkin’ For Jamaica
- Kool and the Gang – Celebration
- James Brown – I Feel Good
- Pharrell Williams – Happy
- Lou Bega – Mambo No. 5
- Taylor Swift – Shake It Off
- Daft Punk – Get Lucky
- Nina Simone – Feeling Good
So find yourself a few tunes that make you feel good and shake, shake, shake it off! Everyone should have a feel good playlist all year round!
Watch a Feel Good Movie
Watch any movie you know that makes you laugh or feel good, even if you have seen it a thousand times already.
Here are a few feel good movies:
- Silver Linings’ Playbook
- Groundhog Day
- Breakfast at Tiffany’s
- Legally Blonde
- Grease 1 and 2
- Bridesmaids
- Pretty Woman
==>> Also on my List: Watching re-runs of TV shows like Sex and the City, Friends, Frasier, That’s 70’s Show, Will & Grace, How I met Your Mother and Everybody loves Raymond.
Get Out of The house
Go somewhere different like a park, a coffee bar or take a walk on the beach.
Change location, change perspective.
Eat Some Feel Good Food
Now, this is by no means an excuse to scoff down that bar of chocolate or a pack of Oreo’s (Remember those New Year’s Resolutions!), but a bit of dark chocolate will help release those feel good hormones.
Check this article for other foods to improve your mood.
Pamper Yourself
Indulge in some me-time by painting your nails, reading a magazine, apply a face mask or take a bath (include candles, wine and music)
Plan Something New
Just planning something fun in the future is a mood booster. Perhaps you can start planning your next vacation, make plans for the weekend, a dinner party, lunch with a friend, cocktails with the girls, a Birthday or an upcoming Holiday.
Looking forward to something is fun, uplifting and refreshing, so get out that notebook and plan away!
A Problem Shared is a Problem Halved
Phone a friend, find someone on Facebook from school or start a conversation on your favorite forum or FB Group.
Talking about what’s bothering you will make you feel better.
Wear Bright Colors
Avoid black and red, wear uplifting colors like yellow (stimulates happiness) or green (balancing).
Stroke a pet
Stroking a pet can relieve stress and has a calming effect. It lowers heart rate and blood pressure, so what are you waiting for!
Pick up Fluffy for a cuddle or if you don’t have a pet: adopt one from an animal shelter today. You might also save a life (see “Do Good”) Check out the ASPCA for info.
Smile Like You Mean It
Even if you don’t feel like it: Smile! Just making an effort to smile actually works to make you feel better, so you will start smiling naturally.
Kind of like “fake it until you make it”.
And the best thing? It’s contagious, so smile at the barista, your co-workers or anyone you encounter outside.
And of course at yourself in the mirror.
Thanks for this uplifting article. I think I’ll follow your tip and exercise for 15 minutes with weights. I say I’ll do it every day and I don’t but now I will thanks to your support!! I look forward to hearing other people’s ideas.
Laurie Hollman, Ph.D.