SMASH Blue Monday...
Hi everyone, Ash here
How is your January going so far? Mine has been pretty full-on (mostly good!) but it felt like it took forever to get back in to a routine! I made sure I was going to bed early on the days that I could as I know that when I don't get enough sleep it really affects my energy levels and mood. What have you been doing to make sure you feel good?
The media have labelled today as the most depressing day of the year - Blue Monday. Cold mornings, dark days, summer feeling like it's so far in the future and our routine getting back to 'normal' can affect the way we feel. Credit card bills from Christmas, realisations that our job or relationship may not be for us or the lonely feeling that can settle after the excitement over the festive season can also have an effect. Although the media has definitely blown up 'Blue Monday' in to something bigger, all of the above points make sense. They are probably most likely to be felt at this time of the year (although, of course, they can happen at any time). With this in mind, what do you need to do to protect your mental health?
Here is a reminder of some of the simple things you can do to nurture your body and mind -
* Rest. Get enough sleep each night and take the time to rest your body by reading, watching your favourite TV show, catching up with friends and family in a more relaxed setting. Take the lead from most other animals during the winter months and rest your body even more than normal. However, it's still important to...
* Move. Try to get 2-3 workouts in to your week. Go for winter walks, get off the bus/tube one stop earlier, do some yoga/stretching. You will know what your body needs, so choose if you want high energy or gentle workouts.
* Order. At this time of year we are likely to feel like we have a chaotic mind. We have so many things to think about that we don't know where to start. Make a list! It could be about money management, exercise, when to see friends/family over the next few months, ideas for holidays. Once you have your lists, make action points as to how you can make them happen. Be careful not to give yourself too much to think about, as that can become overwhelming. Choose the points on your list that would be most beneficial, and start there.
* Talk. If you are struggling with something, talk. To a friend, trusted colleague, family member, stranger, professional. Don't bottle feelings up, even if in your head it feels trivial. If it's affecting your mental health and feelings, it's worth talking about.
* Gratitude. Keep a gratitude journal and write down three things you are grateful for each day. If possible, try to make them different each day and, if you have time, expand a little further as to why you are grateful for whatever you have written. Really lean in and feel your gratitude.
These are just a few tips that could help when we feel like we may be struggling, or that our mood is low. Let us know if you have any others!
It may be 'Blue Monday' in the media but in our world it's 'SMASH Blue Monday'! Blue doesn't have to mean cold, negative, or low mood. It can mean possibilities as endless as the clear blue skies, love as deep as the ocean and the happiness and energy of a SMASH London class. What kind of blue are you?
Be kind to yourself
Sam and Ash
