Tips for beating Blue Monday

In case you were wondering why you feel so blah today, the reason is because today is Blue Monday. For those of you unfamiliar with the day, somebody calculated that today is the most depressing day of the year: the holidays are over, the holiday bills are rolling in, winter is full-on with no end anytime soon, the days are short, and you don't have any vacations imminent.

If all this is making you feel all ugh, blah or meh, read on!

1. Cut yourself some slack. Be kind to yourself and don't expect full-on super-productivity today. Have a cup of your favorite warm beverage. Look over your schedule and tasks and prioritize only what absolutely must be done today. If you do more than the minimum today, that's gravy. Otherwise, allow yourself a slower-than-usual day.

2. Plan something fun to look forward to. Part of what makes today so depressing is that last month you had tons of plans and fun things to do, and now the fun train has ground to a halt. The solution is to plan things that you can look forward to. If you can afford some time away in a fun destination, that's great. Book it. But if like most of us you're feeling the financial pinch (more on that in a mo) plan some low-budget fun. Go see a film with friends, or for an even lower-budget option invite friends over for a film and snacks. Throw a low-key potluck dinner party. Go for a hike in the snow. Phone someone you haven't spoken to in awhile (FB messaging doesn't count) and have a good chat. Whatever you plan, make it easy and enjoyable.

4. Get ahold of your finances. Part of the stress of today is seeing those bills roll in and wondering how you're going to pay for it all. Don't stress, take control! Gather up those bills due, review your budget, and own it. When you have a plan and know how you'll pay your bills, you won't worry and you'll feel in control. If however you discover you won't be able to cover your debts, now is the time to discuss your options with lenders. No matter what, you'll feel empowered knowing the state of your finances.

5. Revisit your New Year's Resolutions/ Goals. Remember those? You had good intentions at the beginning of the year to make positive changes in your life. Don't give up, just have a re-evaluation on what you can do to implement your goals into your life. I wrote a post on working your goals into your schedule a couple of weeks ago, you can click here to read it for ideas on reviving your goals.

How are you coping with Blue Monday today?