Beware Blue Monday! Fight Back with a SMILE!

Six o'clock already
I was just in the middle of a dream
I was kissin' Valentino
By a crystal blue Italian stream...

Are you singing it?  Is your Monday Manic just like the Bangles say?  I loved that song but it was all about rolling back to Sunday, because hey, who likes Monday's?

It’s safe to say then, that the Bangles REALLY wouldn’t like Monday 20th January!  Why I hear you ask?  Well, believe it or not, a study has been performed by psychologist Dr Cliff Arnall and he has identified the 20th January as being the most depressing day of the year.

And here’s why Dr Arnall came to his conclusion.

1. The weather at this time of year is usually absolutely horrid - unless there's snow, but there isn't :(
2. Christmas, what's that?  The Christmas feel good factor is well and truly gone, all cheer has disappeared.  To add insult to injury the credit card bills from the festive period start arriving - was it REALLY necessary to buy Aunty Sue such an expensive gift?
3. Lastly, most of us have broken our new year resolutions and the future is bleak.  More horrendous weather to come, chocolate at Easter to delay even further the diet and the long summer days and evenings seem far, far away.

But it needn't be all doom and gloom!  You can own this Monday!  Fly in the face of misery and use these seven super simple things to lift your mood – not just today either - at any time of the year!

1) Turn up the volume loud and listen to a song you love.  My favourite for this kind of kick start at the moment is 'I am Giant' by Rag'n'Bone Man and Calvin Harris.

2) Get outside in the fresh air.   Banstead and Epsom have Epsom Downs, Banstead Woods and various other open spaces for you to get out and get a glug of the good stuff.  Wrap up warm though, it's chilly out there.

3) Tidy up a spot that's been bothering you.  An overfilled desk or cupboard, a toy corner or under the bed.  You'll feel very smug when it's done.

4) Treat yourself to something nice – if the resoltuons are out of the window go all out and have a cake, if you're still being good grab a good book or a new top.

5) Call your best friend, get them to help you remember your funniest experience together.

6) Pay it forward.  Go find someone to help, pay a bill, help with a bag, open a door.  Do something nice for someone else with no expectation of getting something back.

7) List three things you are grateful for right now.

Own today and the rest of January, make it pink rather than blue!  You're nearly there, February is around the corner and with it comes Valentine's, Pancake Day and the count down to the long Easter weekend!

Feeling brighter?  Good, now put a note in your diary for Friday 17th July.  According to Dr A’s formula this is the happiest day of the year - ensure you schedule something good for that day!

Now off you go - smash this week, Fly High - you know you've got this!