What is Blue Monday and how you can better manage the feeling of sadness |

It was psychologist Cliff Arnall, professor at Cardiff University who created a mathematical formula to calculate the most depressing day of the year. He took into account the weather, utility bills, debt, motivational level and the fact that most people hate Mondays. The formula looks like this: Where W expresses the meteorological conditions; . Thus, Cliff Arnall established that this expression takes its minimum value on the first working Monday of the year. Even if it is not a scientifically validated formula, it still draws attention to certain aspects of daily life that deserve more attention. Among the stressors that impact our daily lives are adverse weather conditions, lack of money, unrealistic expectations and unfinished resolutions.

And when all these things accumulate at the same time they can generate a state of stress and depression. On this mid-January day we are supposed to be in a lower mood due to weather conditions, post-winter holiday debt, low motivation levels of New Year's resolutions. Myth or reality, this Blue Monday initiative and catchphrase has since gone viral around the world and has been used to draw attention to periods of depression and the routine that people return to in January after the holiday spirit has died down. . The press and well-being companies have launched an annual event that draws attention to the many aspects that cause emotional difficulties that we face during this period and beyond.

Blue Monday can mean a lack of energy and motivation, a low involvement in everyday activities and even a lack of perspective towards future plans. A time when it is necessary to bring attention to ourselves and to our main needs. It is a period specific to the winter months where the weather conditions and the lack of sun and social activities make their presence felt after the winter holidays have ended and everyday activities have begun. In psychology, it is also called Seasonal Affective Disorder. Symptoms of seasonal affective disorder include depression, sleep problems, lethargy, overeating, irritability, lack of pleasure and social interaction, PROBLEMS CONCENTRATION.

It is important to seek the help of specialized people when dealing with this spectrum of symptoms to find solutions and functional ways of adapting to the psychological changes that may occur. We can prevent lack of mood during this period by planning small activities that bring a boost of energy and pleasure in everyday life, for example: - a sporting activity that gives us pleasure or a simple walk outdoors that will improve the mood . Avoid sugar and alcohol as much as possible. S – STOP when you realize that negative thoughts are going through your mind or you have unpleasant feelings that put you in a situation of emotional pressure, say out loud STOP!T – take a long deep breath – inhale and exhale deeply, doing this . O – notice – notice what you are reacting to, what your thoughts are telling you? .

If you feel stressed or worried, try the THINK!T - Truth method. Are the thoughts you have real? . Is this thought really helping me right now? . Does this thought inspire you in the present moment? . N – Required.

Do you have to think about it right now? . It is what you think is good for you and others. Analyze the way you talk to yourself. If we were to say out loud to another person what we are saying to ourselves, we would be horrified. .