What are the January Blues?
January. The month of fresh starts, new beginnings, and… the blues. That’s right, the post-holiday slump is a real thing, and it can leave many of us feeling down, unmotivated, and just meh. But why does this happen? And more importantly, what can we do about it?Â
In this blog post, we’ll dive into the January blues, exploring the common causes behind this seasonal slump. We’ll also share some practical tips and strategies to help you navigate your personal and professional life to emerge from the slump feeling refreshed and ready to tackle the new year with renewed energy and enthusiasm.Â
Why do we get the January Blues?
January blues are a common experienced marked by feelings of low energy, low motivation and lethargy. It can occur due to a combination of factors including:Â Â
Shorter daylight hours – Shorter days in the winter can disrupt your body’s internal clock, or circadian rhythm, which can lead to feelings of depression.Â
Hormonal changes – The body’s production of melatonin and serotonin can be affected by reduced sunlight. Melatonin is a hormone that helps you sleep, while serotonin is a hormone that affects mood.Â
Post-celebration letdown – After the highs of the holiday season, lots of social engagements, seeing family & friends and the excitement has come to an end. This can lead to a sense of loneliness and emptiness after a busy lead up to the festive season. Â
Financial strain – The holiday season can be an expensive time for a lot of people. Buying presents, going out socially, catching up with friends, it can all add up.Â
New year’s resolution pressures – With the new year comes added pressure to make sure you have new year’s goals set and you have your year planned out. This can be done at any time there is no rhyme or reason why you can set yourself goals throughout the year if you find the new year particularly pressured.Â
How do you overcome January Blues?
Here are a few tips to help if you are feeling the January blues:
Get outside: Sunlight and vitamin D can help improve your mood and sleep. You can also use a therapy lamp to help with a source of vitamin D if getting outside is hard.
Exercise: Physical exercise helps to release feel good endorphins, helping to boost your mood.
Eat a balanced diet: Focus on eating nutritious foods. Eat the rainbow!
Practice self-care: Run a bath, light some candles, do something creative, bake, sew… find something that you enjoy!
Practice mindfulness: Why not try yoga, or breathing exercises, or maybe meditation is for you!
Seek professional help: If you’re struggling with persistent low mood or anxiety, considering talking to someone. You could speak to a family member, close friend, or a therapist.
How to beat January Blues at work?Â
Take breaks and move around: have short breaks to move your body to reduce muscle soreness. This can be as simple as standing up from your desk and do a few stretches or walking to get a glass of water. On your lunch break, try and get outside in the fresh air and stretch your legs.Â
Prioritise and manage your workload: break down tasks into smaller achievable goals. If possible, you can ask a colleague to help, even just to brainstorm ideas together. Make sure you utilise any work resources that may be available to you.Â
Connect with colleagues: make sure you talk to people. Create social interactions with people you work with. You never know, you may have more in common than you think!Â
January can be a difficult time for many of us, but hopefully this blog has given you a little understanding and some tips and tricks you can take with you in your everyday life. Remember, you can always talk to someone; they may be feeling the exact same way as you!  Â
Let us know and tips you may have to beat the January blues.Â