You may hear the phrase ‘January Blues' but what does it mean and where does it come from? January can be a difficult month, the Christmas festivities have been and gone and we move into the New Year, it's cold outside and you may feel worn out from celebrating Christmas trying to fit as much into the break as possible. You may have struggled with family relationships or conflict over Christmas, maybe financial worries and it feels like a long time until payday.
The term ‘January Blues' refers to the 3rd Monday of January which is said to be the gloomiest day of the year. Whether this is true or not is entirely subjective, it could well be a great day/month for you however, you are likely to see advice being put out on how to avoid feeling the blues.
People manage these feelings in different ways and it is important to find what works for you. You might find getting out for a walk and spending some time outdoors really clears your head or you may prefer watching a good box set. Only you know what works to help lift your mood.
So what if these feelings began before and continue beyond January and they become more frequent and difficult to manage? There is a lot of support available to help people who are feeling anxious, low or depressed and you will find many resources online. If you are concerned about your mental health consider speaking to a GP for advice.
Talking can really help, if you feel able to speak to family or friends you may find this a good source of support to better manage your emotions. If you don't have this support or don't feel able to ask for it then perhaps give some thought as to whether you might be able to talk to a professional through counselling sessions. If this is something you would like to explore please get in touch and I would be happy to assist.