Monday the 17th is considered the most depressing day of the year, but even if you don’t buy into the idea of ‘Blue Monday’, it’s not unusual for morale and motivation to dip after the festive season.
Brits aren’t the only ones who find this time of the year a slog. January has also been voted the worst month of the year by Americans. Each year on Google, worldwide searches for blue Monday skyrocket in January, with searches hitting their highest point ever in 2021.
How to survive the January blues
In January 2020, 54% of the nation started the new year feeling happy, but happiness levels had dipped by 6% by the end of the month. This was pre-pandemic. Now, fatigue, uncertainty and massive changes to the way we work, live and interact are all factors that could also contribute to feeling down as the new year starts. With that in mind, it’s crucial that we cut ourselves some slack!
1. Don’t be so hard on yourself
Whether you have one blue Monday in January or experience several, one of the most important things to keep in mind is that feeling down from time to time is perfectly normal. The more we normalise talking about and tackling mental health issues at work, the better. We have listed some basic ways to beat Blue Monday below for those facing surface-level challenges in January, but don’t hesitate to speak to a professional if you need mental health support.
Here are some simple ways to keep the January blues at bay, whether you’re hybrid working or back at the office:
2. Spend time outside
The weather and shorter days in the UK play a part in the January blues. Take a walk on your lunch, throw your headphones on and take a meeting on the go, or use the flexibility of hybrid working to benefit from daylight hours. Research shows that just 10 minutes outside can reduce mental and physical stress.
3. Plan something to look forward to
Nothing makes January seem longer than feeling like you have nothing to get excited about. People are following their New Year’s resolution or feeling the financial impact of the festive season, making them less inclined to hang out in January. Make some plans to give you something to look forward to and to banish the January Blues from your mind.
A few things to look forward to in 2022 include the Winter Olympics, the return of The Apprentice, Robert Pattinson in the new Batman movie and the World Cup. Positively, even more companies will implement hybrid work policies to ensure teams are more flexible and happy in 2022.
4. Connect virtually or in-person
It can be tempting to withdraw under a blanket until January is over, but lots of people in your life will be feeling the same. Don’t isolate yourself – speak to your colleagues and check in on them too.
5. Set a goal
Don’t go overboard with your resolutions (it’s best to keep them specific, achievable), but if there’s something at work that you’ve been putting off, it might be time to get busy and get it done. Whether it’s clearing out your office, a planning task that feels overwhelming or picking something up with another team, make a start.
New Year, new job?
The last few years have been filled with the unexpected, especially when it comes to work. The Great Resignation started in 2020, with record numbers of employees leaving their jobs as the pandemic picked up.
It’s predicted that the Great Resignation will continue in 2022, as workers who stayed put become tempted by record job openings and opportunities. Many of 2022’s job seekers will be looking for flexibility in all areas, from benefits and salary to location and working hours.
They’ll also be looking for more meaningful work and a balance between personal and professional life. Likely, they’ll also be seeking to work for a business with a strong, supportive culture and plenty of growth opportunities.
Suppose you enjoy your job and are one of the 25% of employees who aren’t considering a move in 2022. In that case, it can feel disheartening if you feel like everyone around you is heading elsewhere, especially if you’re already trying to stave off the January Blues. If this is the case, how do you stay motivated at work?
1. Embrace the new
New people can mean new projects, opportunities and connections. Whilst it’s sad when a colleague you had a great relationship with moves elsewhere, it’s also an opportunity for someone else to come in with new ideas, experience and enthusiasm.
2. Consider your career plans
Career planning doesn’t always need to involve moving elsewhere. If you’re happy, look at how you can develop within your existing organisation. Whether seeking a promotion, a raise, a qualification, or taking part in more significant projects, set some goals for yourself and discuss how they can support you with your manager.
3. Stay in touch
If you enjoyed spending time with your colleagues in a social setting, there’s no reason for that to stop because you no longer work together. It might mean a little more planning and coordinating schedules, but a get-together doesn’t have to be off the cards. It could even help you expand your network by meeting their new colleagues. If there are new faces at work, plan some fun activities that you can do to get to know one another. This can help you make new people feel more welcome and make building those all-important work relationships easier.
4. Contribute positive vibes
When people leave your team, it can sometimes create a chain reaction of negativity. It’s rarely productive, useful or helpful whether this is caused by workload, worry about future progression or gossip. Stay positive and communicate in an open and friendly way with your colleagues.
Talk about it
Around 71% say having an approachable manager enables them to talk about wellbeing more openly. If you feel down, speak to your manager or get support from your local mental health organisation.
Looking for Office Space?
We Operate in Some of the World’s Top Cities:
London, New York, San Francisco, Paris, Singapore, Hong Kong,
Search more locations