The arrival of Blue Monday introduced the third week of January 2018. Thought to be the most depressing day of the year, it is calculated using a series of factors such as the weather, debt levels, time since Christmas and the time since we’ve ditched our New Year resolutions.
During this period, we become custom to the cruel realities of winter; the dark morning commutes, wind, rain, sleet and snow and the often daunting thought of what the year ahead will bring. But don’t let the label fool you. Blue Monday is technically just a marketing tactic adopted by firms to generate more consumer spending at a time when it is the last thing people want to do.
Rather than taking Blue Monday as an excuse to mope around in self-pity and hibernate within the comforts of our sofas, we should start approaching the first month of the year more positively.
The ease of falling into a downbeat attitude is becoming increasingly more common, especially amongst the younger generation such as ourselves. Thinking negatively is a habit, and like all habits it can be hard to undo and stop. Overthinking and exaggerating a possibly stressful situation encourages the brain to focus only on the problem, producing an array of scenarios that are highly unlikely to occur. These troublesome situations may be an upcoming exam, a coursework deadline or a dispute within the friendship group and can often lead to sleepless nights and less productivity. The more time we spend worrying about these thoughts, the more power we give them.
In order for this viscous and sometimes damaging cycle to end, we need to start separating fact from fiction. When faced with a dilemma, we need to prevent ourselves from getting lost in the negativity and begin to come up with solutions. Even if we are uncertain of how to face the problem head on, we could break it down into manageable components and tackle them individually. Already, we have directed our minds away from the destructive thoughts and thinking more positively. Total relief may not be experienced quite so soon, but by taking control we push ourselves towards a resolution rather than being consumed by the stress of it all.
During this time of year, these emotions are common and normal. However, if you feel as though you cannot manage the deadlines being set, or family and friend relationships are causing you problems, don’t be afraid to talk. Your teachers, tutors, family members and friends are there to listen and guide you.
By Lindsay Cain
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