January Blues

The folks over at calm.com recently wrote a how-to guide for overcoming what they call the January Blues. The January blues refers to a common, temporary slump in mood and energy many people experience in early January, especially in the northern hemisphere as post-holiday quiet replaces festive busyness and daylight hours remain short. Rather than a clinical disorder like seasonal affective disorder (SAD), this dip is usually mild and short-lived, often showing up as low motivation, heaviness, or slower functioning. The Calm blog outlines 7 mindful strategies to help lift your mood and regain balance during this season by gently supporting your body, emotions, and routines, such as seeking morning light, adding simple structure, moving your body with gentle activity, planning small joys, nurturing social connections, balancing rest with engagement, and setting realistic expectations for the season.