Make Blue Monday a You Monday

Today is known to be the bluest day of the year, so why not make your Blue Monday a YOU Monday. Last year Jimmy published 'Blue Monday is the most depressing day of the year? Only if you insist!' in the Community News Blog. Here he talks about the formula that explains why we feel so depressed on this day. Click here to read more.

What is Blue Monday?

If you don’t know what ‘Blue Monday’ is, it is known to be a day where people feel at their lowest. After the recent festivities and the new hope of a new year, the annual ‘winter blues’ creep up on us.

It is ok to feel down, but when we feel this way often it may be a time to practice some self-care. Sometimes we can feel guilty for wanting or taking some time for ourselves as our day to day lives can demand so much of our time or we are focussed on looking after someone else.

Self-care doesn’t have to be, ‘run yourself a bath and light a candle’, although that can be relaxing for some people. It can be about doing something kind for yourself, however, this may look to you. Continue reading this blog for some tips and suggestions for how to boost your mood from our Community members, and the Community Team.

Blue Monday and our mental health

Our mental health is important everyday of the year and not just for one day. If Blue Monday can do anything, it can be to help us be more aware of our emotions and mental health right now. See our Mental health check in blog if you are looking for some additional support with your mental health. There is some helpful guidance and signposts to help you access the support you may be in need of.

Our Support Line is open from 8am to 8pm every day if you need a listening ear. You’re always welcome to get in touch and speak to our Support Teams on 0808 808 00 00. There is also an option to use live webchat by using this link here.

How to cope with the Monday blues

Here on the Online Community we see how beneficial it can be to read the experiences of others and give support back to one another. Our members are always supporting each other and sharing their experiences in the hope it will help someone else, so below are some of the things our Community members find helpful:

“I used to go for a walk and talk to friends and family to keep my mind of things”
- Wino,  Ovarian cancer forum

“Meditation has really helped me (and I’m so not into that sort of thing!)... but it’s been an eye opener truly”
- dd1234, Bowel cancer forum

"I certainly cry from time to time but I recognize it is what I need and not a problem".
- src60, Cancer chat forum

If you are looking for some other ideas to help boost your mood, why not try the following;

• The Macmillan Relax and Breathe resource can help make you feel calmer and more at ease. You can click on the link to order a copy.
  
  
• See last week’s Exercise and moving your body Community News Blog for tips and suggestions to help you get active as exercise can help boost our mood.
  
  
• Seek some company. Usually it would be easier to meet friends and family for a good natter or a chance to talk about how you are, but the current lockdown is a barrier for many people. This may be a good time to pick up the phone, video call or send a text to check in with a friend or family member.
  
  
• Be Mindful is an online course which helps people living with cancer to use mindfulness-based cognitive therapy to reduce stress, anxiety and depression, and improve mental well-being.
  
  
• Log on to the Community cancer forum and speak to your fellow members. There are also other Community groups you can join such as the Laughter is the best medicine group should you be looking for some humour. The Express yourself group is a great place to explore the creativity of our members and post your own creations.

We hope that this blog has helped you check in on your own mental health and encourage you to do something kind for yourself today. We would love to hear what you are doing to boost your mood in the comment box below.