I heard that today is supposed to be the bluest Monday of the year. You've gotten over your good rush of emotions from Christmas, the New Year resolutions you made on January 1st have all been broken, so you may be feeling bad about that, and typically, at this time of year, it's supposed to be cold as a penguin's freezer. So, it's Blue Monday in the bluest month of the year.
Nothing says it's a rule that you must be miserable today; or any other Monday for that matter. I for one had a great day and am also still working on those resolutions. But winter, especially the ice-cold month of January when the temperature drops to -30C can really put a damper on ones spirits and make you want to just hibernate until spring. So today I decided to compile a quick list of things to help you get over the January Blues, and maybe even your Blue Mondays.
I you can't beat em' join em' as the old saying goes. And the same goes for the weather and getting outside. Go for a walk everybody! Go sledding, shovel, build a snowman or a fort, go on a nature walk or go nature journaling. Fresh air is one of the best things for your morale. I can guarantee you will feel better after going out.
There is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing.
Alfred Wainwright - Coast To Coast 1973
Feel cold outside all the time? Proper clothing is what you lack. Try natural materials right up against your skin such as wool, alpaca, silk, angora, cashmere, fur etc, and layer in layers that are not skin-tight. For those of us with sensitive skin (like myself) alpaca, cashmere, fur, and silk are very good options. Layer your prickly wools on top. Something like leather over the outside of your mittens is great as a choice of natural material, and will also cut the wind.
The problem with modern clothing is that it is synthetic and not breathable. You sweat and the moisture has nowhere to go, therefore making you cold and wet. Natural materials like wool will wick away moisture and still allow your skin to breathe. Natural materials also cut way down on odor. So avoid spandex athletic wear, synthetic materials, and rubber boots. Your Grandma and Grandpa might not seem that modish to you but they sure knew how to dress for a cold winter! And there are so many gorgeous pieces out there. There will definitely be something that suits your taste.
Also, avoid cotton and linen. These are excellent natural materials for summer as they are perfect for hot weather because they keep you cool. But have you ever noticed that your legs are cold even in long johns or leggings? These are usually made from cotton and should NOT be worn in winter. You are getting the exact opposite effect of what you want! So don't buy a sweater that is 50% wool and 50% cotton. It is counterproductive. Save your cotton and linen for summer.
Natural materials seem too expensive? Try your local thrift store or online second-hand platforms such as Poshmark (they sell to both the USA and Canada and are a really great platform). These places are your friend when it comes to finding affordable, beautiful, and warm pieces. I have acquired several off of Poshmark for a steal of a deal price. And believe me, once you start to wear natural materials like wool and fur, you will never go back. And you will send me a big box of chocolate to thank me.
Can't bring yourself to go out? Air out your house. I try to do this about once a week or so. All summer long we enjoy the fresh air of the great outdoors. We also enjoy less colds and better health. When winter comes, we close up our houses and don't let the fresh air in until spring. And that's pretty gross if you ask me. Our houses are full of our cleaning products, chemicals from our perfumes, hairsprays, paint that we might use in a project, and food particles from when we cook. Not to mention all the cold germs we carry in. Fans are great, but they are no replacement for fresh air.
I usually wait for a day that is a little on the warmer side. Turn down the heat, open a couple of windows and your doors and wrap up in a blanket with a cup of tea. You don't have to do this for a long time, just five to ten minutes will be sufficient. But you will feel so refreshed afterward.
Take a cold shower. You're like, no way, how counterproductive can that be? It will make me happier??
Taking cold showers is good for the immune system, and great for blood flow as well as your skin. They leave you feeling alive, ready to go, and full of energy and new life. They are so effective people have even gone as far as to say they help battle depression.
Now, not everyone is the stone-cold shower type. And I think that's totally fine. You don't need to take a freezing cold shower to reap the benefits. True, you do get more accustomed? Acclimatized? The more you do it. I can stand colder water faster than when I first started poking cold showers into the daily regime. I have a friend who has done the cold water thing for a long time. He talked about filling his tub with water and ice cubes and sitting there with his vodka and feeling so happy. I thought maybe the vodka had something to do with his being happy though ;) But as you can see, your body gets more used to it over time.
I always step into a warm shower before turning the water to cool. Depending on the day, sometimes Luke-warm is enough. Other times I'm happy to stand in fairly cool water for a little while and it doesn't really bother me. Taking a cool or cold five-minute shower every morning is a good practice to get into, as well as finishing off your hot showers with a cool or cold blast. One friend of mine said the important thing is for your body to feel a bit of a shock on your skin when changing water temperatures.
Is the cold shower thing really all it's hyped up to be? For myself, I'd say yes. My circulation and skin have improved drastically just from taking quick five-minute cool showers, and I really do feel very energized and ready to fly into my day after a quick shot under the cold water. One thing I don't recommend is taking a cold shower after five in the evening. Because the cold water induces a higher heart rate and promotes energy this might not suit you for becoming relaxed and ready to get into bed and sleep.
Work out. It's good for your health, good for your heart, and good for your morale. And you can do so much with so little. Do the stairs twenty times, do arm circles, jump rope, lift weights, do planks and push-ups, do knee ups or squats. And if hard workouts aren't your thing today, stretching and deep breathing not only feel amazing, they are therapeutic and relaxing. Need a good exercise program that doesn't cost? I use the app Fit On and I have never been so motivated or had such good results.
Do something for yourself. Make a cup of tea and read a chapter of that book you just can't wait to devour. Eat a square of chocolate. Do something you love, like a hobby you haven't spent enough time on. Taking care of yourself is not selfish as long as you aren't the only thing you ever focus on. But if you don't care for yourself first, you won't be able to care for others.
Do something for someone else! Feeling blue can be a circle of thinking about ourselves too much. Send someone a card or have flowers delivered to your moms. Call up an old friend or prepare a special supper for your spouse spontaneously. Prepare a meal for a sick friend. Offer to walk the neighbor's dog. It can be anything. Putting a smile on someone else's face can really be a boost.
Declutter. So how about that junk closet, hmm? How about your dresser, there are four tops in it that you never wear because you hate them. Decluttering can be fun and so rewarding. And it doesn't have to be a giant project. Do one dresser drawer, do one shelf on your bookcase. Decluttering can be a fun and interactive project. Contact a buddy and agree to do one cupboard in your kitchen each.
Work. Work can be very helpful to take your mind off yourself. Clean your bathroom, wash those dishes, shovel the walk, fold the waiting pile of laundry.
Being blue is very often linked to being sedentary. Don't just sit around and wallow in self-pity, that isn't going to help you. It's ok to have our moments, or even have a blue day but wallowing is not acceptable.
Sitting around and staring at our computer or phone screen for hours, languidly thinking of ourselves and our problems is not going to help us cheer up one ounce. Put your thoughts of self aside and do something. Move, get some fresh air.
Sometimes we just need to talk it out and have a good cry and that can already have a healing effect on us. Don't bottle up your emotions. We are not made to hang onto the negative thoughts and chemicals we create in our bodies when we are blue, stressed, or unhappy. Someone who loves you is always ready to be your stress relief. And if your friend or spouse isn't close by, you can always confide in God. He already knows our thoughts anyway.
A shout to all you men out there. I have never thought less of a man who exposed his true feelings or fears or even had a good cry. I always think a lot more highly of the men who just live, do their jobs, are sweet and respectful to the women in their lives, and don't try too hard to be men. You don't have to show off to the world that you are a real manly man, if you are a real man and a true gentleman, it will show. The truth speaks for itself.
You all have a lot of pressure put on you from the stereotypical man that nothing can ever worry, hurt, or touch. Obviously, I am not a man, but I have been that type, the untouchable, unpredictable, and mysterious person that nothing can ever hurt. And let me tell you something, this is a very unhealthy place to be. Bottling things up is the worst thing you can do. After years of major stress, depression, and closing myself off to others, I am now paying for my actions in the form of limbic system impairment, the sickness I mentioned in my previous posts. Don't get to that point. Don't be like that. No matter what anyone says, we are all entitled to our emotions. God made all of us, both men and women, capable of sadness, joy, empathy, tears, laughter, sympathy, fear, etc. Obviously, we all hold a range of emotions for a good reason.
Ok, that got a lot deeper than it was supposed to! I sincerely wish you can find joy today and I hope you all have a beautiful, sky-blue January:)
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