Happy New Year! We are back in January, and for lots of people, this is an exciting month filled with positivity, in which we have set new life goals and New Year resolutions for ourselves. Great! However, for others, January can mean something entirely different.
January Blues, or Winter Blues, involves feelings of sadness and exhaustion during the coldest and darkest months of the year. All around us, people are posting online about their 2021 achievements and their personal or business successes, but what if the last 12 months have not been great for you? What if the pressure of unachievable 2022 New Year’s resolutions or bookish targets is already feeling overwhelming?
Well, there are some things we can do to combat January Blues and help alleviate some winter stress. I would like to emphasise that I am not a medical professional, but the following tips have helped me in the past.
• Get outside. Being surrounded by daylight seems to be the number one rule for combatting all forms of winter sadness. It could be something as simple as reading a book on a park bench for 30 minutes. If you are unable to get outside, for example because you are self isolating in a flat, try setting yourself up for the day at a window that lets in lots of light.
• Do something you love. Maybe this means starting a new hobby, or really focusing on something you have been doing for a while. It might be baking, reading, painting, writing, participating in a solo or team sport - whatever it is, as long as you love doing it, keeping your mind active will be so beneficial for combatting stress and sadness. Escaping into books that make me feel happy is definitely my plan for January.
• Curate your social media feed. If you are like me, you might be finding yourself spending less and less time on your personal Instagram/Facebook/Tiktok pages.
Bookstagram has given me a completely different perspective on the type of content I want to consume and what I feel is benefiting me rather than negatively affecting me. We are all becoming more aware of the fact that certain parts of social media can lead to unhealthy comparisons, social pressures, and negative thoughts. Do I want to know what Molly-Mae ate for breakfast? No. Do I want to see posts about people’s reading plans for 2022? Yes! Surround yourself on social media with things that you truly care about, and that will bring positivity to your life during these dark weeks (and beyond).
• Make plans. How much more enjoyable is life when you have things in your diary to plan for and to look forward to? Maybe an overnight stay somewhere would lift your spirits (you’re thinking cosy cottage with a lit fire and a heartwarming book? Cool, me too!). This isn't achievable for all of us though, so planning a walk or coffee with a friend might be the perfect thing to do this month. Also, if you are able to and you want to, spend time with your family!
• Move more (if you can) and eat the right foods for your body. This might be as simple as walking your dog (which is all I will be doing), or perhaps you have decided to participate in more vigorous exercise. It’s a no from me, but if puffing and sweating to a home fitness workout video is your thing, do it!
• Talk to someone. Last, but by no means least. If you do find that the following few weeks are overwhelming, while it is tempting to isolate yourself please reach out to family members, friends, Bookstagram buddies, or mental health professionals.
Of course, for many of us, escaping into our favourite book genres might be exactly what we need over the winter months. If you are struggling and are looking for escapism, check out the following recommendations from some of us at Prose Before. Happy reading!
Francesca - The Flatshare by Beth O’Leary (contemporary romance fiction)
Bec - The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood (contemporary romance fiction)
Lelani - The Little Bed and Breakfast by the Sea by Jennifer Joyce (contemporary romance fiction)
Juliette - Heartstopper by Alice Osman (graphic novel)
Nat - The Sad Ghost Club by Lize Meddings (graphic novel)
Kendal - Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi (magical realism/fantasy fiction)
On a serious note, if you are feeling depressed/anxious and are seeking objective support, please visit the NHS website for advice (UK only), contact your GP, and/or check out the ‘Hotlines’ story highlights on the Prose Before Instagram page for mental health/suicide hotlines (UK, US & International).
Blog post by Francesca Rothery
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