It’s easy to get wrapped up in what we see on TV or online but when it comes to feeling blue in the first month of the year, it’s not based on anything but opinion.
Yes, it includes the famous ‘Blue Monday’ but did you know that term was actually created by a psychologist who was asked to find ‘the most depressing day of the year’ by a now defunct holiday company in order for them to sell more package destinations!
Clever, right?
The truth is, there’s no real reason for anyone to feel depressed in January. True, you might feel fed up that Christmas is over for another year, you’re back to school and you don’t know when you’ll get to meet your friends again but that’s a very normal and natural reaction to what’s going on right now.
However, if you’ve been feeling sad or lonely or in a bad mood for a while, this is a great day to share your worries with your parents, your friends or someone you trust. If you’re not sure what to say or are feeling confused, you can always contact Childline on 1800 66 66 66 or chat online at Childline.ie 24 hours a day, every day. There’s always someone there to listen and support you through whatever is causing you anxiety – no matter how big or small it might seem.
In the meantime, here are other things you can do to brighten up your January: