As Barras Paralelas da BOOMFIT são o complemento certo para um treino intenso e versátil, que traz dinamismo aos...
Blue Monday: How to deal with the saddest day of the year?
Although there is no absolute certainty as to its origin, what is certain is that Blue Monday is communicated as a date when people are most depressed.
At BOOMFIT, we challenge you to look at this day with optimism and happiness, as you are an "influencer" in many people's lives when you encourage them to maintain their focus and dedication to their workouts and to a healthy lifestyle!
And sadness might not be so bad after all! In an interview for the Portuguese news website "Notícias ao Minuto", neuropsychologist and hypnotherapist Alberto Lopes gave some tips on how to make this Monday a happy day.
"Sadness can have a purpose, serving as a catalyst for self-reflection and personal growth. Accepting and exploring sadness as part of the emotional spectrum is crucial for a healthy psychological balance."
In this interview, the expert shared some tools that can help you face this day, namely "healthy habits", such as "exercising, a healthy diet and good sleep hygiene", making your bedroom a peaceful place to relax.
How to ignore Blue Monday?
The truth is that there is no scientific evidence to support Blue Monday. However, since it's becoming more and more deeply rooted, one of the best ways is to forget it even exists and look at it as a myth. And even when there are bad days, we have to be prepared to face them...
Healthy habits and lifestyle
Fighting episodes of anxiety or depression requires careful attention to mind and body. Opting for a balanced diet and regular exercise is one way of dealing with these episodes. It's also important to ensure that you get enough rest, not least because it's fundamental to ensuring a good quality of life in the immediate term, but above all in the medium and long term.
Regular physical activity
It's no longer a surprise that regular physical exercise is very important for physical and mental health. Avoiding a sedentary lifestyle is the first step to improving the quality of your sleep, your mood and your capacity to focus. Keeping your body moving helps free your mind!
Meditation and time to ourselves
Meditation has already been a topic on our blog. Now we're adding to this the importance of having "time for ourselves". Let's take advantage of these " not so good" days for self-reflection, taking time to think about our emotions and feelings, gaining self-knowledge insights that can help us in future events.
Setting Goals
Set achievable goals for everyday life! Including goals ensures purpose and direction, avoiding the feeling of being lost. So it doesn't matter whether they're small or large, but rather that they're achievable and fulfil the feeling of "desire fulfilled".
Social Connections
You don't have to be on social media to stay connected to those you love. Enjoy these not-so-good days to reconnect with family, friends or your loved one over dinner or a quick coffee. These social events activate endorphins, the hormones that stimulate feelings of pleasure and happiness.
The power of laughter
As well as being a form of positive emotional expression, laughing can serve as a positive distraction, drawing attention away from negative thoughts or worries. This expression is usually shared socially and can even serve to strengthen social bonds with friends, family or colleagues. Having a good laugh is undoubtedly an essential expression that takes your mind off less positive days!
Outside time
Natural light and being in close contact with nature are excellent stimulants that increase creative thinking and solutions. A connection with nature can also be a powerful tool for finding balance in our day-to-day lives, helping to reduce stress.
Ignore Blue Monday
Monday is already a "boring" day, after a weekend that can be intense and full of action. Pretending that Monday is a normal Monday is a starting point for not getting into negative thoughts or unnecessary worries. We know it can't always be easy, but a good day plan can help turn a Monday into a great starting point for an optimistic week ahead.
Final Toughts
It's true that Blue Monday brings up some thoughts that may not be the most cheerful. However, if discouragement or less positive feelings take your athletes by surprise, don't forget: take note of these guidelines and apply them whenever necessary. You'll only be contributing to their well-being by influencing them in a positive way on a daily basis.
Don't let the not so good times affect your day!
Have a good workout!
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