Brightening up Blue Monday

Don’t be surprised if you’re feeling blue today. The third Monday in January is often referred to as “Blue Monday,” the saddest day of the year. The excitement (or stress) of the holidays has worn off, and here in Regina, it can be the coldest, and darkest time of the whole year. 

January’s also the worst month for Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a type of depression tied to seasonal changes and our amount of exposure to sunlight. 

So how can you brighten things up on Blue Monday?

If you’re feeling severely depressed or are in crisis, reach out to your doctor, a mental health professional or community resource, like HealthLine 811.

The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health’s Blue Monday Survival Guide recommends taking inventory of your lifestyle habits to see if there are any simple adjustments you can make to help improve your mental health. 

Light therapy is also a common treatment for SAD. Starting later this month, we’ll be offering access to two light therapy lamps at Central Library, thanks to a SaskEnergy Share the Warmth grant.

The lamps will be available in the second-floor mezzanine during library open hours, so you’ll be able to spend 20 minutes of your library visit soaking up the benefits of therapeutic light while you read, write or study.  

RPL staffer, Devon, combines light therapy with a mindfulness activity for even more benefit. “I like to start my day in the fall/winter with twenty minutes of SAD lamp – and I usually couple this time with journaling. By tethering up these activities it helps to create positive habits that last longer and become part of a routine. Journaling is good for my mental health and so is the SAD lamp.”

The library often runs programs on topics like self-care, mental health, and wellness - keep an eye on our programs page to see what's available. 

SaskEnergy’s Share the Warmth Grant helps organizations offer additional services to manage the harsh realities of prairie winters. Central Library welcomes an average of 1,000 people from all backgrounds per day. Having therapy lights available at this location will help increase access to an approved form of therapy for Regina residents suffering from SAD.