Say No to Blue Monday!
This year Blue Monday falls on the 17th of January, but what is it?
It is believed to be the saddest day of the year, due to a combination of factors…
- Winter weather
- Christmas debt
- Monthly salary
- Missing Christmas
- Failed new year’s resolutions
- Low motivation levels
- Feeling a need to act
Whilst all these factors are real and much more likely to affect us in January, it is also important to remember that Blue Monday is a myth. It has not been proven using real science and is mostly used by companies for PR purposes.
So, let’s change the focus…
Brew Monday 2022
Monday the 17th of January is Brew Monday, a reminder to everyone to reach out and have a cuppa and catch up with the people you care about.
Samaritans want to stop the ‘Blue Monday’ myth as they know that the calendar does not decide which days are our good days and which days are our bad days. So, pick up the phone and reach out to that one person that you’ve been meaning to check in with.
Tips to be a good listener:
- Ask questions and listen – Open and non-judgemental questions will help you to understand someone’s experience better and will give them space to express their feelings.
- Think about time and place – Sometimes talking face to face can be hard, it might be a good idea to chat whilst doing something else such as cooking or a puzzle, this also takes the pressure off the conversation.
- Don’t be a fixer – Take a step back and try not to offer solutions no matter how much you want to help, unless advice has been asked for, talking alone is often enough to help.
Be Bold in Blue
The MS Trust is also hosting the ‘Be Bold in Blue’ weekend from Saturday to Monday. You’re encouraged to help make a positive difference for those affected by Multiple Sclerosis in whatever way you can, as long as it’s blue.
Join in on social media with #BeBoldInBlue or even dye your hair blue! If you can, spare a donation to the MS Trust and help make a difference to individuals who are likely to suffer negative mental health effects as a result of their physical health.