5 Easy Ways to Boost Your Mood on Blue Monday

Mondays often feel like a drag, and this is especially the case during the colder months of autumn and winter when daylight is scarce and the weekend feels too far away. It’s a phenomenon known as “Blue Monday”, and it often leaves people feeling unmotivated, glum, and anxious. However, the good news is that by making a few small changes, the gloom can lift, turning the bleakest of Mondays into positive days.

Get Moving

There’s no more impactful way to boost your mood than by engaging in some physical activity. Exercise produces an endorphin release in the body, and these feel-good hormones can really improve your outlook. The best part? You don’t have to do anything too strenuous. Light activity such as a walk or even a dance around your living room while listening to your favourite songs can make all the difference.

Embrace Gratitude to Brighten Blue Monday

Blue Monday, often considered the gloomiest day of the year, can leave many feeling down and overwhelmed. One of the simplest and most effective ways to shift your mindset is by practicing gratitude. Taking a moment to reflect on the positive aspects of your life can help counteract negative thoughts and uplift your mood.

Here’s how to do it: Grab a notebook, a piece of paper, or open your phone’s notes app and write down a few things you're thankful for. These could be big or small—like enjoying a cozy cup of coffee, laughing with a friend, or recalling a cherished memory with family. Focusing on these moments helps you realize there’s always something good to appreciate, even on tough days.

Research has shown that expressing gratitude consistently can reduce stress, increase feelings of happiness, and improve overall mental well-being. You can also make this a daily habit by starting or ending your day with a gratitude list. Over time, this practice trains your brain to focus on the positives rather than dwelling on the negatives, creating a lasting shift in your outlook.

So, this Blue Monday, take control of your mindset by counting your blessings—it’s a small action that can make a big difference.

Treat Yourself

Sometimes, you just have to be kind to yourself. And there’s no better time to treat yourself than on a Monday when everything seems bleak. Now, how you treat yourself will be individualised to you, but it could be something as little as taking a long soak in the bath or relaxing to a podcast for an hour. The point is that you’re doing something for yourself that is going to alleviate any stress and make a challenging day more manageable.

Connect with Loved Ones

Everyone on the planet will have bad days, and it’s often Mondays in most cases. This includes loved ones. So, reaching out to them is the perfect solution because not only will they understand how you’re feeling, but it’s proven that human connection is an effective antidote to feeling low. Friends and family members are the best people to connect with, be it on the phone, on a video call, or in person, perhaps over a cup of coffee. You could find the person you reached out to is feeling exactly the same as you.

Limit Social Media Use

Social media is fantastic at times, but many people get caught up mindlessly scrolling on a gloomy Monday. Instead of seeing how others’ days are going, limit social media for the day and do something more interactive and engaging online, such as exploring popular bingo sites. These types of platforms require your full attention; they provide a truckload of excitement, and there’s also the opportunity to engage with other people too. Doing something where you have to be focused is better than doom scrolling.