Home LivingWellness7 mood-boosting tips to relieve stress and anxiety on Blue MondayFrom cold showers to pamper sessions, here’s how to beat Blue Monday 2024When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

Home LivingWellness7 mood-boosting tips to relieve stress and anxiety on Blue MondayFrom cold showers to pamper sessions, here’s how to beat Blue Monday 2024When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

From cold showers to pamper sessions, here’s how to beat Blue Monday 2024

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

(Image credit: Unsplash)

Blue Monday tips

(Image credit: Unsplash)

Today – 15th January 2024 – is what is referred to as the most depressing day of the year. Yes, it’s Blue Monday.

While Blue Monday is seen as a myth or pseudoscience, many people have reported that they experience heightened feelings of stress, anxiety, depression and sadness on Blue Monday. If you’re feeling these emotions today, here’s how to beat Blue Monday and the January blues with 7 mood-boosting activities to relieve stress and calm anxiety.

1. Move your body

One of the best ways to relieve stress is exercise. Whether you take a long walk, head to the gym or dance around your living room, moving your body has a positive effect on your mood. To paraphrase Elle Woods from Legally Blonde, exercise releases endorphins which makes you feel happier, helps you sleep better and acts as an outlet for letting go of frustrations or anxiety. For more exercise tips, check out T3’s guide toGet Fit for 2024.

2. Take in sunlight and fresh air

(Image credit: Fuu J / Unsplash)

Woman looking at over the sea with arms wide

(Image credit: Fuu J / Unsplash)

3. Have a cold shower

4. Limit screen time

While scrolling through Instagram might help you switch off and wind down, social media has been found to have a negative effect on mental health. It might be tempting to reach for your phone throughout the day, but it might make you feel more upset or anxious, especially if you’re seeing people you follow having the best time of their lives when you’re finding Blue Monday to be a struggle. Try limiting your screen time, especially before bed as it can disrupt your sleep schedule and make it harder for you to fall asleep.

Sign up to the T3 newsletter for smarter living straight to your inbox

Get all the latest news, reviews, deals and buying guides on gorgeous tech, home and active products from the T3 experts

5. Do an activity you enjoy

Monday is a work day for most people which probably isn’t helping with your feelings of stress and anxiety. After your work day has ended, take time away from your desk and do an activity that you enjoy. Focusing on yourself and doing something that makes you happy will help with the effects of Blue Monday. Reading, knitting, yoga, breathwork, journaling and cooking are just a few ideas of relaxing activities you can do.

(Image credit: Content Pixie / Unsplash)

Woman writing in a journal

(Image credit: Content Pixie / Unsplash)

6. Have a pamper

7. Give yourself a break

Although many scientists have said that Blue Monday is a myth, it’s okay if you’re feeling a bit fragile today. But instead of beating yourself up about it, give yourself a break and just let yourself feel it if you need to. Take it easy, think positive thoughts and reach out to family and friends if you’re feeling overwhelmed.

Today’s best SAD Lamps deals$36$24.99View$49.99$39.99ViewDeal endsTue, Jan 28, 2025$39.99ViewShow More DealsWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices

Today’s best SAD Lamps deals$36$24.99View$49.99$39.99ViewDeal endsTue, Jan 28, 2025$39.99ViewShow More DealsWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices

Today’s best SAD Lamps deals

$36$24.99View$49.99$39.99ViewDeal endsTue, Jan 28, 2025$39.99View

$36$24.99View

$36$24.99View

Magicteam Therapy Sun Lamp…

Amazon

Prime

$36$24.99View

$36$24.99

$24.99

$49.99$39.99ViewDeal endsTue, Jan 28, 2025

$49.99$39.99View

A New Year & New You Begins…

Amazon

$49.99$39.99View

$49.99$39.99

$39.99

Deal endsTue, Jan 28, 2025

Deal endsTue, Jan 28, 2025

Deal endsTue, Jan 28, 2025

$39.99View

$39.99View

Circadian Optics Light…

Target

$39.99View

$39.99

$39.99

Show More Deals

Show More Deals

We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices

We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra leak

The biggest Samsung Galaxy S25 leak yet reveals specs, Galaxy AI features and a lot moreThere are going to be some big changes with the new Samsung phones

There are going to be some big changes with the new Samsung phones

Insta360 Flow 2 Pro

I tried the Insta360 Flow 2 Pro gimbal and it’s the ultimate tool for creators who want cinematic resultsNext-level AI tracking and pro features make this gimbal a must-have for serious iPhone filmmakers

Next-level AI tracking and pro features make this gimbal a must-have for serious iPhone filmmakers

EE

Waking up for work is tough in the winter – but smart tech can help you avoid that snooze buttonHow smart tech makes winter mornings run smoother

How smart tech makes winter mornings run smoother

Neurovalens Modius Sleep

Are headbands the new sleep technology trend?

Hatch Restore 3

Hatch’s latest sunrise alarm clock finally has a phone-free design – and I’m obsessedHatch launches the Restore 3 wake-up light and it could drastically improve your mornings

Hatch launches the Restore 3 wake-up light and it could drastically improve your mornings

Withings OMNIA

Withings’ smart mirror combines a smartwatch and scales into a full-length health scannerWithings debuts new conceptual smart health mirror at CES 2025

Withings debuts new conceptual smart health mirror at CES 2025

Foods you should never put in a juicer

6 gadgets to get you through Dry JanuaryWith Christmas and New Year out of the way, we take a look at some of the best gadgets to use for Dry January

With Christmas and New Year out of the way, we take a look at some of the best gadgets to use for Dry January

A woman wearing a pink sleep mask while resting on a pillow

This pillow flip sleep hack can help you beat Christmas insomnia – and it takes secondsIf you love the cold side of the pillow, you’ll love this quick sleep hack

If you love the cold side of the pillow, you’ll love this quick sleep hack

Therabody SleepMask

Therabody SleepMask review: soothing vibrations that send you to sleepTherabody’s new SleepMask promises a good night’s sleep – but does it work?

Therabody’s new SleepMask promises a good night’s sleep – but does it work?

Loop Switch 2 earplugs

I spent 24 hours with the new Loop Switch 2 earplugs – here’s my honest takeFrom fun to focus to calm…I tried them in every scenario

From fun to focus to calm…I tried them in every scenario