Feeling Down Today? Blue Monday Lands in New York
Have you ever heard of "Blue Monday"? It's supposedly the most depressing day of the year and it's today, New York.
According to Glamour, a UK travel company came up with the phrase "Blue Monday" in 2005 and they claim that the third Monday of January is the saddest day of the year. They based this on things like weather, debt, and the time since the holidays.
Some experts think the whole thing is bogus. Dr. Samar McCutcheon is a psychiatrist and he says that Blue Monday was made-up as a marketing gimmick and that there is no formula for depression that applies to everyone.
However, other experts say that some people tend to suffer from depression during the winter months more than other times of the year. People are coming off the happiness of the holidays, they're dealing with big credit card bills and New Year's resolutions that they've already given up on. All of this can make people feel bad about life.
If you're someone who is feeling really down there are some things that you can do to help you feel better.
Ways To Help You Feel Better When Depressed
Dr. McCutcheon suggests trying a few self-care practices during the winter months. A consistent sleep schedule, taking daily walks outside to get as much sunlight as you can, eat more healthy food, don't drink as much as you have been, and try to get in some kind of exercise every day.
Another thing that can help you feel better is to reach out to your friends and family. Try to get together with them because loneliness is all that it's cracked up to be. Everyone goes through times in life when they get really sad so it's ok if you're feeling like this.
With that said, if you find that you're sad all the time and that your sadness is stopping you from living every day life, you should check in with a doctor or mental health provider who can help you.
The most important thing to remember is that January won't last forever. Before you know it, spring will be here, and the days will get longer and brighter. You got this!
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