Blue Monday: five tips for how employers and HR professionals can support employees through January
What is Blue Monday?
In the UK, the third Monday of January is known as ‘Blue Monday’ - famously so because it’s labelled the most depressing day of the year.
It makes sense. The festive cheer has evaporated, coupled with gloomy weather, dark mornings and evenings, the financial aftermath of the festive spree, and the return to the daily grind.
It's a perfect storm of circumstances that can make anyone feel a little bit blue.
But…
Is Blue Monday just a myth?
'Blue Monday' got its name from the 'depression factor,' calculated using several different parameters like average temperature, days since the December payday, the countdown to the next bank holiday, daylight hours, and how many nights you've spent indoors.
But, Birmingham City University psychologist Professor Craig Jackson has raised doubts about the validity of the formula (see here).
What’s more, it’s also been claimed that 'Blue Monday' wasn't just born out of scientific revelation, but developed in cahoots with a travel company to encourage us to book our summer holidays early.
Fact or fiction, many have argued that Blue Monday oversimplifies the complex human experience of depression.
So, whilst January undoubtedly presents its hurdles, it's essential to challenge the narrative surrounding Blue Monday. Employers and HR professionals can play a key role in providing support, helping employees navigate through the challenges of the month.
Perhaps it's time to reconsider and shift our perspective. After all, January signifies the commencement of a new year - 365 pages of untapped opportunities and possibilities.
5 Tips for employers and HR professionals and how they can support employees through January
1. Set realistic goals for your team (@Ultra HR)
In Ultra HR’s article, they say, “Adding purpose to each working day is beneficial for mental health.” I couldn’t agree more.
Having a sense of purpose can really boost mental wellbeing for many reasons. To get your team in the groove, it’s important to set company or team-wide goals as well as goals for individual employees - and don’t forget, you’ll need some incentives too!
2. Utilise ecotherapy techniques (@CiC)
Sometimes, it's not feasible to transform our offices into a modern, trendy workspace, but making small tweaks that can enhance the workspace for employees is doable.
According to CiC's article, Ecotherapy is a handy method for boosting working conditions. It focuses on enhancing mental health and physical wellbeing through nature. So here are a few simple tips from their article:
Encourage your employees to get outside - exercise (even if it's just a short walk!) will help your employees refresh and reconnect with the world.
Get some plants - According to CiC’s article, the colour green has the power to foster balance and harmony, contributing to stress alleviation in the workplace. Additionally, incorporating plant life can boost fresh oxygen levels, aiding both physical and mental health.
Swap your lightbulbs - opt for lighting that mimics natural sunlight to lift your mood! Natural light not only enhances mood but also supports better focus and productivity. It's a simple yet effective way to bring positive vibes to your workspace!
3. Allow more time for socialising (@perkbox)
Perkbox's article states, "A problem shared is a problem halved." To tackle Blue Monday, they recommend encouraging employees to dedicate more time to open conversations without feeling guilty about stepping away from their tasks.
“Chatting with colleagues about what's bothering them can help them find people struggling with similar issues, as well as being able to see the situation from a different perspective. And you’ll soon see moods improve if there’s laughter along the way.”
4. Check-in with your team members (@Ultra HR)
Check-in with your employees about their wellbeing. Find out how they're feeling and, more importantly, what support they need from you. Ultra HR suggests organising a coffee morning or scheduling some one-to-ones. The key message from their article is to connect with your team members and let them know it’s okay for them to share their worries or ask for help.
5. Create a culture that encourages wellbeing
The final tip comes from me! It’s essential that your employees understand that their mental health matters to you and your organisation. In practice, this means establishing a workplace culture that encourages and prioritises wellbeing.
Building a workplace culture that places a premium on employee welfare is critical for cultivating a thriving and efficient environment.
Creating a culture that promotes wellbeing must be underpinned by allowing employees to prioritise their work-life balance and mental health whilst also establishing company values and an overarching strategy that are both committed to supporting those objectives.
I’m Miriam and I run Reasonful - we offer support to small and medium-sized businesses that are typically facing challenges of rapid growth, talent retention, fast-paced work and constant pressure to deliver results, all whilst wanting to support long-term employee mental health and wellbeing.
We offer workshops, mindfulness classes, wellbeing strategy support and bespoke programmes.
Sign up for our FREE Guide to Building and Sustaining a Culture of Wellbeing to get started today. Click here to find out more.
Or, book a no-obligation 20-minute call to learn more about unleashing your team's potential through strategic mental health initiatives here.