Youâve probably heard the term âwinter bluesâ, but have you heard about Blue Monday?
Although originally coined by a travel agency looking to make a few extra bucks in January, the third Monday of the new year is often when holiday bills come in, excitement from festivities is over, and lots of people are just feeling down in the dumps.
Candace Giesbrecht, director of people and engagement with the Canadian Mental Health Association Âé¶čAV, says the lack of sunlight through the winter plays a huge role.
âThe first thing we recommend is to assess,â Giesbrecht says. âWe want to encourage people to reflect on âhow am I doing?ââ
As days get shorter, darker, and colder, itâs quite common to notice a shift in mood. And while winter is unavoidable, there are some lifestyle changes you can make that can help you battle the winter blues and SAD.
â CMHA Âé¶čAV (@cmhakelowna)
Giesbrecht says itâs always a good idea to do a mental health check with yourself, checking your coping mechanisms and ability to bounce back when hard things come.
âI had somebody say to me once, it was a doctor, that the goal of mental health is not to be free of hard times or low mood, but the goal is to be able to, when the waves of life come, to be able to ride them rather than feel like youâre drowning.â
If youâve been feeling low for two weeks or more and the usual mood boosters arenât working, Giesbrecht says that is when you should find someone to talk to if you havenât already.
âWe recommend going to our website for resources. Thereâs a lot of great links and information there, but you may also want to talk to your doctor.â
Once youâve done a mental health check on yourself, start checking in with those around you.
âBe present, ask people how theyâre doing, and create safe opportunities for conversation.â
Giesbrecht adds that itâs important to not minimize someone elseâs feelings.
âIf a person is saying theyâre really struggling itâs really important that we all acknowledge that this person has [spoken up]. In many cases, it takes courage for a lot of us to say that.â
If you or someone you know is struggling with their mental health, visit for information and resources.
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