Have you heard about ‘Blue Monday’? It’s the third Monday of January, and according to psychologist Cliff Arnall, it’s the most depressing day of the year. He selected the day after constructing a complex mathematical equation which takes into account the weather, debt levels, the time since we’ve failed our New Year’s resolutions and other variables that he deemed likely to be depressing. The joy of Christmas and New Year has worn off, and being back at work and school has settled into a tiring and consistent routine. This year, that Monday is coming up on the 16th.
While there’s not really any specific day where you’re really more likely to struggle with your mental health, the concept of Blue Monday remains. For a lot of us, January isn’t our most joyful month. In an average year marketers know this and spend the month pushing massages and comfort food take away because they want you to believe that spending money is the easiest way to get through the slump.
The National Council for Hypnotherapy (NCH), the largest not-for-profit professional association for hypnotherapists in the UK, says around one in seven people are suffering from stress or anxiety at any one time in the UK. If you’re one of the people affected, waiting for the return of the sun or feeling depressed about your finances and the lack of bank holidays in your immediate future there are things that you can do to help yourself feel better.
If you’re feeling down and gloomy, there’s many different things you can do to lighten your mood. The NHS advises that keeping to a structured routine which includes gentle exercise, regular sleep and nutritious food can be helpful when you’re feeling anxious or depressed. It’s important to find moments of enjoyment. It doesn’t matter if that’s listening to music, wiring in your journal, gardening or going for a walk. Connect with friends and family, rather than isolating yourself or trying to ‘go it alone’.
To counteract the doom and gloom, the Samaritans have created an event called Brew Monday. They state that we all have our good days and our bad days, these aren’t for the calendar to decide. Reaching out and connecting with others can help.
If you’re struggling with anxiety or depression and feeling as though things are unmanageable a few sessions with a hypnotherapist may help you achieve a different perspective. When you attend sessions with a hypnotherapist you’ll receive targeted and compassionate help with the issues that you’re struggling with as well as be taught skills that will help you in the future.
You may find that the change is subtle, but pervasive. By working with your subconscious mind you’ll notice positive sifts in the way you think and feel about situations that you previously found stressful or avoided. You can expect to feel calmer, more confident and less stressed.
You can find a fully-trained, accredited and insured hypnotherapist near you by using the NCH directory, with nearly 3,000 trained and accredited therapists around the UK there’s sure to be someone near you.
