January 16 this year marks 'Blue Monday,' the most depressing day of the year. It’s when the financial pressures of the holidays start to catch up, new year’s resolutions start to fall through, it gets dark outside early, and weather pushes people to spend more time inside.
Though it’s not scientifically supported as the most depressing day of the year, 'Blue Monday' falls on the third Monday in January and those factors do play a role in impacting mental health.
“I don’t look at Blue Monday as a thing, but I find mid-to-late January is when you see an uptick in clients coming in,” said Shagun Sharma, a registered psychotherapist in Bradford West Gwillimbury. “There’s quite a few reasons for this, one is there is a loss of those holiday festivities as you’re going back to work and school.”
The shock of going from the relaxation of the holiday season to getting back to the normal day-to-day workweek, or school week, is one of the bigger factors that can weigh on people.
“You’re back to the grind and there’s shorter days, there’s less time for doing things you want to be doing,” explained Sharma. “With the shorter days comes less productivity and you see that trend happening (with more clients) in mid-to-late January.”
There are ways to help counter seasonal depression and physical health is a key piece to the puzzle.
“It’s definitely a biopsychosocial thing, it’s important to look at physical health, social, mental, and emotional,” said Sharma. “It’s really good to keep your body moving, that can be doing a five-minute stretch on your break during working hours. Eating healthy is important, vitamin D is directly related to your serotonin. It’s about making your body feel good in that way.”
Reaching out to resources is another beneficial way to help during the more difficult times in the winter.
“Whether that’s family, friends, a crisis line, or therapy,” said Sharma. “Those things are really important.”
More than one in 10 Canadians often or always feel lonely. Half of those who experience loneliness have poorer mental health overall. Your connection to others and your community are key ways to protect mental health, so loneliness is something to pay attention to.
If you have a social or other anxiety disorder, being alone during this time can make things worse.
If, despite your best efforts, you feel overwhelmed with feelings of anxiety or sadness, or if your negative feelings are persistent or get in the way of your daily life, you should reach out for mental health support:
- If you just want to talk to someone, there are “warm lines” for you to do just that.
- If you’re a young person, try the youth peer-to-peer online community.
- Please contact your local CMHA or visit the Government of Canada’s Wellness Together portal.
- If you are thinking of suicide, call Talk Suicide at 1-833-456-4566 toll free in Canada or dial 911.
Another big thing Sharma finds with Blue Monday and seasonal affective disorder after the holidays is that new year’s resolutions tend to start not going the way people had planned.
“People feel a lot more unmotivated after that, so you just need to be kinder to yourself,” she explained. “Keep your expectations at a level that feels authentic and manageable to you. Self-cheerleading is one thing that I would definitely recommend during that time.”
Mental health resources can be found here through CMHA North Bay.
