Blue Monday: Budget Ways To Boost Your Mood In January
With many facing January blues after the end of the new year festivities, experts are offering advice on how to bounce back without spending a fortune to feel better.
The frugal team at NetVoucherCodes.co.uk have put together seven tips for Brits to banish the January blues and cheer themselves up this winter.
Blue Monday is commonly known as the most depressing day of the year; this month, it falls on Monday, January 16.
It’s given this title on the third Monday of every January due to many feeling low thanks to the combination of poor winter weather and the end of festive celebrations.
But while some decide to order a takeaway or book a short trip to uplift themselves, many don’t have the luxury of taking their mind off their emotions by affording pricey reliefs.
The penny-pinching pros have explored budget-friendly ways for people to beat the blues such as discovering a new nature walk and keeping social by going out for a coffee with friends.
Lucinda Fox, online consumer expert at NetVoucherCodes.co.uk said: “Now that Christmas and New Year have ended, it’s natural to feel down in the dumps about the celebrations being over.
“But for some people, the impact can be heavier than just feeling slightly sad about the occasions being over, which can result in feeling depressed and hopeless.
“And with Blue Monday coming up this month, we wanted to offer budget-friendly advice to help people boost their mood without having to spend a fortune.
“Simple things like keeping the diary filled or creating a new music playlist can liven spirits and save a healthy chunk of cash.”
Here are seven budget-friendly ways from NetVoucherCodes.co.uk to boost your mood this January:
- Keep the diary filled
Being social and sticking to plans can keep you distracted from the miserable weather hampering your mood. Even a simple cup of coffee with an old friend can lift your spirits.
- Go for a walk
A walkout in nature helps to decrease stress and take your mind off the realities in life – paired with some great music, you can escape to your own inner world.
- Buy a UV ‘happy Lamp’
A UV lamp also known as a ‘happy lamp’ has great mental health benefits, as the artificial sunlight can fool your body into thinking it’s summer. It’s also recommended as a useful tool to aid symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder.
- Start Yoga
Yoga is one of the most peaceful forms of exercise to boost your mental health. There are plenty of free tutorials online so you can easily get started in the comfort of your own home.
- Start a new hobby
Hobbies are important to follow through as they keep your mind occupied and perfecting a new skill can instantly boost your happiness. Painting, gardening, cooking – the possibilities are endless and can be done on a budget.
- Regular exercise
You don’t have to get sweaty and work out every single day, but exercise can boost your mood and is known to aid the symptoms of depression. You don’t need to pay for a gym membership as a home workout or a jog in the park can be equally rewarding.
- Create a new music playlist
Music is praised for its ability to take your mindset out of a negative space and boost your morale, so creating a new playlist can keep you busy and find some great tunes. A monthly subscription to streaming services costs less than a tenner, but it works out cheaper than buying tracks individually.