Do you feel sad? Maybe a little blue? Well, you aren’t alone… January is officially the saddest month of the year. Even the fact that Saturday was National Compliment Day didn’t help to brighten our spirits apparently.
I think the official saddest day of the year was last Monday, but I thought it was the 4th Monday of January. (hence… why this post is up now… ha!) But why in the world would the saddest day of the year be on MLK Day? It’s not a very nice way to honor Dr. King AND most people are off work that day… so what’s depressing about a day off?
Anyway… The first saddest day of the year was announced back in 2005 when a researcher at Cardiff University figured out a method to the sadness. According to Dr. Cliff Arnall it’s the Monday in January with a perfect combination of depressing factors.
Here’s the list according to the article:
- Weather conditions (Gloomy January with its cold weather & lack of sunshine)
- Debt level and our ability to pay that debt
- Time elapsed since Christmas
- Time elapsed since failing New Years resolutions
- Low motivational levels
- Our need to take action (better ourselves, resolutions… then disappointment about failing or not seeing changes)
So to counteract this sad & miserable month.. I have 10 things you can do RIGHT NOW to make yourself happy!
- Step out of your comfort zone: If you normally keep it casual for work, dress up a bit. Wear a bold lip color. Introduce yourself to that group of moms at the park that you have always wanted to talk to. Switch things up and you will be surprised how fast it can boost your mood!
- Send someone snail mail: If you have been thinking about someone… a friend, family member, or neighbor.. send them a little hand-written note. It will make you feel better & brighten their day at the same time!
- Exercise: Bring on those mood-boosting endorphins! Even a quick walk around the block or 10 minute YouTube workout will help!
- Take some time for yourself: Try to carve out a bit of time to do something you enjoy. Read a book, get a pedicure, or head to Target by yourself. (can you tell how I enjoy time for myself? ha!)
- Do something nice for someone else: Buy a co-worker coffee when picking up your own. Bring flowers to a retirement home. (Ask employees to bring them to whoever they think needs them the most that day) Give out a few compliments. Brightening other people’s day will make you happier as well!
- Put your phone away for a few hours: It can bee very ‘freeing’ to get rid of your phone, even if it is just for a short time. You may focus on your family more or get that project done that you have been putting off.
- Call a good friend: Girlfriends make us happy, so give your bestie a call. If you can meet up with them… even better! I am always in a better mood after I speak to my friends.
- Listen to your favorite music: Put on your favorite music and dance around. If I have had a stressful morning, I just put my favorite Pandora channel on (which may or may not be Britney Spears radio) and sing my way to work. Instant happiness.
- Watch or read something funny: Pop in your favorite comedy or funny TV show, or hop on YouTube there is tons of funny stuff on there. I am guaranteed a laugh when I read texts gone wrong or watch news bloopers on YouTube.
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Be Thankful: I am one of those people that believes happiness is a choice. There will always be circumstances beyond our control and things we cannot change. But I do think that taking a few moments each day to focus on the GOOD things in your life can make a big difference. Right now… this very second… think of 5 things you have to be thankful for today. It can be the basics: you are alive, you have shelter, your children are safe. Or it can be mundane: your nails look nice or you made it to the gym today. Just think of 5 things (10 is even better) that are GOOD in your life right now. Boom. Happy. Now do that every single day… write down the 10 things.. that is even better… and finding your happy place will be easier than ever.
I'll admit, this weather report for Boston is definitely making me not happy (and the snow is due to fall starting tomorrow evening), but I'm going to combat that with #8 while I'm inevitably house-bound with Eve.
I would join you but I've been banned from singing at work. 😉 haha! Have a wonderful week and stay warm!
LOVE THIS LIST!!! Had to put that in caps 🙂 I have done this month #4 = Spa day, just half and hour massage but boy that was like a mini vacation!!! #5 done that several times this month, and that soooo feels good, and I am doing it again tonight!!! Made dinner for a friend who has been sick, help a friend with a drive to work as her car was broken, and tonight having people over who don't have WIFI so they can fill out FAFSA forms for college!!! Loving it!!!!!
Put my phone and computer away this weekend and it was BRILLIANT!!!!!
Have a wonderful Monday!!!!
xoxoxo
Look at that, you did three things and you sound like a very happy girl! You are proof that it works! 😉 I hope your happy week continues!!
The weather in Seattle at this time of year can get pretty dreary. However, yesterday was gorgeous! I'm hoping today is the same. Either way, I'm thrilled to be getting out of the house today with my family to get some shopping done. Not a whole lot can beat a day out with the family. I love your list-all great ideas!
Thank you! Yes I am lucky here in SoFla.. no snow days! Have a fantastic week!
Thanks for the "HAPPY" reminder! I needed the pick me up this Monday!! 🙂
Glad it helped! I think we could all use a boost on Mondays! 😉
Thanks for the cheerful strategies that we can use to combat the blues. I am going to use this with some of the teens that I work with.
Let me know if they work! I hope you have a fantastic week! 🙂
That is a great list of ways to lift your spirits. Calling a friend is a great one.
Yes, or if I cant call we enjoy texting each other silly meme's all day! ha!
aweee– good thing we live in South Florida… 🙂 Love these tips.
i know it, we are pretty lucky that we dont get stuck inside very often!
I love all these ideas, and agree late Jan-Feb feels blah for all of the above reasons!
Sharing this!
Thank you! yeah I have totally be sucking at most of my New years resolutions.. 😉
Nothing like the winter blues but, great ways to beat them! Thanks for the ideas!
And thank you for taking the time to leave a comment! I hope you have a great week! 🙂
Today definitely means many of those criteria in my neck of the woods! Really enjoyed this great list of reminders. I often get in a funk and don't let myself out of it for some reason by denying myself self-care options like these haha. On the upswing to Spring, I hope! Thanks for the post!
Yes it is easy for me to say since I am living in florida.. I can only imagine what it is link to be stuck inside during a snow storm! I hope you have a wonderful week!!!
I always try to get out of the house as much as possible and schedule things for this time of the year. It can definitely be depressing. Now that we are expecting a huge snow storm, maybe we'll have to try writing some letters to friends! That sounds like fun.
I feel super lucky that I don't have to deal with snowstorms! The only time we have to hunker down here is during a hurricane! Stay safe and I hope it passes quick!
I don't usually get depressed in the winter….probably because it's always sunny. However, I think this is the time of the year where people start feeling burnt out. Great tips to get Happy!
Yup, I'm with you! I dont have to deal with snow.. so maybe it is easier for us to be happy! 😉
Fantastic list!!! I practice most of these. My doctor actually told me to either take up reading or Yoga to deal with anxiety issues I was having. It is so important to take time for yourself. Also, a good friend shared that when you are in a bad/sad mood, so something for someone else and you will feel better! It is so true! I love these tips! Sharing!
Thank you! Yeah all of these work for me.. I love sending friends mail, they get so surprised to get a card! makes my day!
I LIVE in a comfort zone… I really should branch out more. I love this list! Being thankful for things always boosts my mood instantly:)
I was like that too, but the past few years I really started stepping out of my comfort zone. (and its fun!!) 😉 Have a great week!
THESE are beautiful reminders. And gratitude is the one, for me, that makes everything better.
I agree, that is the biggest one for me as well. I believe your outlook makes all the difference!
Yes! Send snail mail. I encourage my kids to do this as well. Amen to putting the phones away and unplugging!!!
unplugging makes all the difference for me these days, esp since I started the blog I feel like I am on social media overload sometimes!! Have a wonderful week!! 🙂
so many great tips, i struggle with feeling happiness within, i love getting mail though
Try a thankful journal.. it makes a huge difference. I swear by it!
I do many of those on your list. My favorite, be thankful! We all have at least one thing a day to be thankful for.
Be thankful is my favorite as well! I hope you are having a wonderful week!!
Nice post! I love all of your tips and being thankful is something that I always remind myself to be.
I had to work on it for awhile, which is why I started the journal… but now it comes naturally. I guess practice is needed for everything! 😉 Have a great week!
#2 is one of my favs!!! Love your list- and positive attitude!!
Thank you! i am sending my girls some valentine's this year since writing this reminded me how long its been since I sent them cards! 😉
Excellent tips! I love writing people cards whenever I think about them. I agree with every single one of these tips except number one but that's because I'm such an introvert and talking to new people scares me. 🙂 Thanks for linking up to the Bloggers Brags Pinterest Party. I have pinned to the Bloggers Brags Board. See you next week at the link up.
Thanks! You could wear red lipstick instead! 😉 haha
I appreciate you stopping by and I will see you at the linkup next week! 🙂
Excellent… It makes sense January is the saddest month, but these are all wonderful tips to combat that! Thibgs we should do all year! ☺
I agree! I hope you are having a fantastic week and thanks (as always) for taking the time to comment!! 🙂
Great post and agree wholeheartedly – happiness is a choice so we should all try as much as possible to choose to be happy. Harder than it sounds at times – but most times doable. – Louise
It is something I am always working on, the thankful part helps… 🙂 have a great week!
Great post! I'm definitely in a winter-inspired funk. I love what you say about gratitude. I'm grateful for all these great ideas in this post!
And I am grateful for YOU!! 🙂 I hope you are having a fantastic week so far!!
Totally agree about happiness being a choice. ..at least for most people. And I love sending and receiving snail mail. Beats pulling bills out of the mailbox!
Hahaha! Yes I agree.. anything beats bills. 😉
This is a great list! I love receiving snail mail. That's one of the things I'm really going to miss now that my grandmother is gone. She always sent us cards on holidays and out of the blue. This will be the first year my kids won't be getting a Valentine from her.
awww. that is very sad! I used to send my friends cards all the time, but writing this post made me realize it has been awhile, so they are all getting valentine's this year!! 🙂
This is interesting, but it makes sense, all the factors that steal the happy. I like your list much better! I try to start day off with a smile on my face and in my heart.
XOXO
I like mine better too. Some days I really have to work at it, but choosing happy ends up paying off in the end!! 😉
I love this so much, Lauren! I needed that right now 🙂
Good! I hope you have a wonderful super happy day full of everything in your dinosaur dreams! 🙂
This is a wonderful list! I am so glad I stumbled upon your blog (:
Visiting from http://www.andieconn.com
i'm sad people aren't happy! 😉
Great list! Finding funny things to read or watch are at the top of my get happy quick list, but I find that expressing gratitude and helping others really boosts my happy levels.
Visiting from Thoughtful Thursdsays 🙂
Such a great list Lauren! And no hate hear for the Brittany Spears Pandora Station! Every good playlist should be slightly embarrassing 😉
love happy post ideas !!!!! Heck sometimes we need them glad you linked up on the shine blog hop
What a great list…definitely bookmarking and pinning this for those gloomy days!
Amanda
http://www.queenofthelandoftwigsnberries.com
Pinned this! Such great tips. I am definitely feeling that mid-January slump. I've been recently trying to take time for myself and really make it a good, recharging time. These are such great ideas. Love the idea of getting a new bright lip color to spice things up a bit 😉 And being thankful always, always helps me get my perspective on straight.
January is a depressing month for sure. I will say Monday was a sad day for me because I didn't have off of work. And it's really depressing when all of your friends and family are talking about how great it is to have a day off and you don't!
I totally agree that January is the saddest months for all the reasons you stated. Thanks for these great tips!
These are awesome tips! I definitely find calling a friend, or writing a card or letter really boosts my mood. Me time is also always a great escape, a hot bath and a good book is a great way to relax and cheer up!
One thing I would like to add…is to start your day reading a happy story. This has been a new ritual of mine and it instatly sets the tone for the day!
I definitely need these tips! I just wish exercise worked for me, I always just want to take a nap afterwards, lol!
I always get really down in the winter. I need to remember these tips when it hits so that maybe it won't hit quite so hard. Winter always makes sadness so much harder. I need to move somewhere sunny, wonder if I can get my husband to cooperate?
I love this, and I'm so with you on happiness being a choice. It takes work and effort to get out of our funks sometimes, but it's so worth it when we do!