5 Easy Ways to Beat the Blue Monday Blues

Today is also known as Blue Monday. The wonderful indulgences and relaxation of the Christmas break a distant memory, this dark and often rainy day marks the first of yet another long week at work and only the halfway point to the next paycheck. While Mondays aren't my favourite day of the week normally, today I'm feeling pretty positive thanks to receiving a generous self-care package by the lovely team at Penguin Living (publishers of beautiful and inspirational titles such as The Little Book of Hygge and The Little Book of Lykke by Meik Wiking). And that prompted an idea: why not share some quick top tips to help you beat the Blue Monday blues too?

1. Have lunch with colleagues

If you don't spend enough time with your colleagues outside of work, because as soon as the clock hits 5pm (or 5.30pm in my case) you can't wait to escape the office and do something you deem more fun than working, change this today. You don't have to hang around after work for forced socialising, but you can plan a yummy lunch with colleagues (if any day warrants temporarily breaking the dieting resolutions you set at the start of the year, today is it). Just make sure you don't talk work and you actually have fun together! Ask them about their Christmas break or holiday plans for the year. Keep it casual and just relax before you're heading back to the office.

2. See friends

If you went to visit family over the Christmas break like me, it might have been a while since you have seen some of your friends, so why not plan a meet-up over coffee and cake, or even dinner after work today? It'll be great to catch-up and see what everyone did for the holidays and you can also take this opportunity to plan some fun outings together to look forward to in the coming months. After all, preparation and anticipation of outings and vacations is half the fun!

3. Retail therapy

It's always nice to have something to look forward to after a long working day, so schedule some retail therapy! I'm not saying you should spend hundreds of pounds, because an empty bank account doesn't exactly inspire happiness, but the January sales still ongoing are amazing right now (I've scored tons of stuff at up to 70% off myself and will do a full haul soon to share it with you all). So set a (small) budget aside and treat yourself to some things you don't need but that will surely cheer you up this Monday. If you're unable to go to the shops after work, you can do some online retail therapy instead. Can I, for example, tempt you by the most excellent Folio Society new year sale?

4. Go to the theatre

Another evening outing you can plan is a trip down to the theatre. Okay, you are unlikely to get tickets to hugely popular shows such as The Book of Mormon or Harry Potter and the Cursed Child THIS last minute, but there are plenty of plays and musicals that will still have seats available as Monday isn't the typical theatre-day. Tickets are often cheaper than on Friday or Saturday, so win/win! You can either contact the theatres directly (or check their websites) to see what's available, or pop by TKTS (the half price discount booth in Leicester Square) to see if you can score an absolute bargain with them. Also don't forget about fringe venues such as Southwark Playhouse, Trafalgar Studios and the Arts Theatre. They're cheaper than the West End, but always have tons of great stuff on. For more tips on getting cheap theatre tickets, check out my blog post: How to See West End Theatre For Less.

5. Plan absolutely nothing

Having a fun evening doesn't have to require spending money or even going somewhere for entertainment. You can do it right at home. Fill yourself a bath with luxurious products you have laying around from Christmas or a past birthday (hi Lush, hiiii!), make yourself a soothing cup of tea (Teapigs FTW!), grab a sweet treat and pick up that book that you planned to read over the holidays but didn't get to, and.... relax! I'm doing just that tonight with my self-care package from Penguin Living. Thanks, guys! ♥ ♥ ♥




If you have any other tips to beat the Blue Monday blues (or any blues, really), leave them below so we have a comments section filled with positivity to browse for inspiration when needed! 

🎵 Listening to: Sam Smith – Too Good At Godbyes
🔹 Mood: Happy