Monday 17th January is otherwise known as Blue Monday. The third Monday in January when people are supposed to be feeling at their lowest. For me I wasn’t aware of this until someone pointed it out lunchtime yesterday. I am very thankful that it doesn’t affect me. We have had a beautiful day here today – blue sky despite the frost – give me a cold bright day to raise the spirits and allow people to feel better.
If you are someone who feels sensitive to this time of the year and find that SAD is also difficult to manage then its good to do as much as you can to avoid labels such as Blue Monday. Positivity is something we can raise with the use of the Bach Flower Remedies. Sad is something that is experienced by many, often very quietly, however it is totally debilitating and draining. The lack of sunlight brings low mood, lack of enthusiasm, chronic fatigue, irritation and can physically affect the ability to work.
Blue Monday seems to have arisen from the realisation that Christmas is over, and we still have another week to pay day – there could be a realisation that funds are low, it is also cold and if the weather is bad that won’t help matters either. Many people will have left families after Christmas and if Christmas has been a happy family time and they are now back on their own – again the low mood can also creep in. If the weather is bad, then January is not a good month as it can be quite grey and overcast – another reason to label the day Blue Monday.
I want to look at the was you can survive Blue Monday using the Bach Flower Remedies and this is where I would start.
We need to look at the specific reasons for the low mood, the irritation and sensitivity, the SAD symptoms, loneliness, homesickness, and possible stress within the workplace are just some of the causes we need to work with. If you are also trying to Dry January this can also bring about a dip in mood as well – but don’t go back to the drink lets look at a way out. The remedies suggested will also depend on the gravity of the situation and these are only a handful of the 38 that are available
We would look at Gentian to help with the low mood of known origin to help create an uplift in emotions, Impatiens for the irritation and frustration this irritation can very often come from within, and it will help you to allow yourself time to recover. There is also Cherry plum to deal with your emotions, if you are feeling particularly tearful or even angry and the place you are is quite dark then Cherry plum allows you to gather yourself and regain the calm mind that you usually have, to establish your sense of emotional control.
If the low mood as resulted in you not wanting to go out then I would also look at Larch – to help to give you the confidence to start to go out, and to combine it with Mimulus to alleviate any underlying fears that you may be feeling.
Hornbeam is also brilliant at this time of year – the perfect remedy to blue away the blues – this remedy will lift your spirits and restore your lively mind and give you the energy you need to face the day. This is a fabulous remedy to help you to survive Blue Monday, in fact it helps you to survive any down day.
If you are down and the Blue Monday plus SAD seems to be the problem, then I would also add in Gorse – the beacon of light – this remedy is there to remove the feelings of despair and despondency and to free you from the burdens in your mind.
On a personal note, for me, December is my low month as the days get shorter, now I see that it is daylight still at 5 and on a sunny day the sunsets and sunrises are just gorgeous with the cold air. Even on a grey day the additional hours of light are just such a beautiful thought of the longer days to come. I hope that the above can help and if you need some help please lets have a chat
