You鈥檝e probably heard the term 鈥榳inter blues鈥�, but have you heard about Blue Monday?

Although originally coined by a travel agency looking to make a few extra bucks in January, the third Monday of the new year is often when holiday bills come in, excitement from festivities is over, and lots of people are just feeling down in the dumps.

Candace Giesbrecht, director of people and engagement with the Canadian Mental Health Association 91大黄鸭, says the lack of sunlight through the winter plays a huge role.

鈥淭he first thing we recommend is to assess,鈥� Giesbrecht says. 鈥淲e want to encourage people to reflect on 鈥榟ow am I doing?鈥欌��

As days get shorter, darker, and colder, it鈥檚 quite common to notice a shift in mood. And while winter is unavoidable, there are some lifestyle changes you can make that can help you battle the winter blues and SAD.

鈥� CMHA 91大黄鸭 (@cmhakelowna)

Giesbrecht says it鈥檚 always a good idea to do a mental health check with yourself, checking your coping mechanisms and ability to bounce back when hard things come.

鈥淚 had somebody say to me once, it was a doctor, that the goal of mental health is not to be free of hard times or low mood, but the goal is to be able to, when the waves of life come, to be able to ride them rather than feel like you鈥檙e drowning.鈥�

If you鈥檝e been feeling low for two weeks or more and the usual mood boosters aren鈥檛 working, Giesbrecht says that is when you should find someone to talk to if you haven鈥檛 already.

鈥淲e recommend going to our website for resources. There鈥檚 a lot of great links and information there, but you may also want to talk to your doctor.鈥�

Once you鈥檝e done a mental health check on yourself, start checking in with those around you.

鈥淏e present, ask people how they鈥檙e doing, and create safe opportunities for conversation.鈥�

Giesbrecht adds that it鈥檚 important to not minimize someone else鈥檚 feelings.

鈥淚f a person is saying they鈥檙e really struggling it鈥檚 really important that we all acknowledge that this person has [spoken up]. In many cases, it takes courage for a lot of us to say that.鈥�

If you or someone you know is struggling with their mental health, visit for information and resources.

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