The third Monday of January is known as ‘Blue Monday’, and with the very strange year we've just had , it’s fair to say that this year could be one of the ‘bluest’ yet... but it doesn't have to be!
It’s important to try and stay motivated and keep going, but with many struggling at the minute, the most important thing to do, especially today, is to make sure that you are looking after your own mental health and wellbeing!
Here are my top tips for having a positive and productive Blue Monday:
If you're working from home, set up a dedicated work space at a table, don’t laze around in bed on your laptop.
Stay hydrated! Drinking little and often and aiming for 6-8 glasses of water (and other liquids) per day to replace normal water loss – around 1.2 to 1.5 litres.
Eat not 4, not 5, but 10 portions of fruit and veg (or as many as possible to support that immune system!).
Go for a run / walk / do a work-out at lunch, basically make sure you get outside, even if you just walk to the corner shop. Being outside with nature is important for our mental health.
Keep moving – get those steps up, aim for 10,000 a day!! Exercise is great for both your mental and physical health.
Set yourself a super clear day plan so that your work is structured and you can focus properly.
Make sure you include regular breaks in your plan!
Feeling stressed? There’s a brilliant app called Headspace, download it and do a quick 5-10 minute meditation session.
Keep up communication with your teams, support each other, check in with your colleagues, share wins and continue to ask for advice.
It’s important that you look after yourself so make sure you are organised, stay focused, keep moving, eat healthily, stay hydrated and banish those Monday Blues!
