It’s the day of the year that gets a bit of an unfair reputation; delightfully known as ‘Blue Monday’, thanks to British psychologist Dr. Cliff Arnall. In 2005, Dr. Arnall coined the phrase to describe the day he calculated to be the most depressing of the year.

However, do not fear! Your trusty colleagues at Insight Executive have rallied around our offices to gather our tips for turning the Blue Monday frown upside down and tackling it with a fresh perspective. We want to bring the brightness back to the blue!

At Insight Executive Group, we value a wellness-focused mindset with a commitment to a positive work-life balance for everyone who works with us. Taking the lead from our brilliant teams, here are some suggested tips to help combat the Blue Monday blues and ensure a productive week:

  • Start with a Positive Ritual: Kick off your day with a favourite morning activity, like a short walk or a relaxing cup of coffee from a place you’ve never tried before.
  • Step Outside: Spending just 20 minutes outside can significantly boost your mood. Exposure to natural light and fresh air enhances mental health and reduces stress levels.
  • Connect with Colleagues: Today is THE day to book a lunch, grab a cuppa, and get those face-to-face catch-ups in. The benefits? More empathy between colleagues thanks to nonverbal cues.
  • Prioritise Work-Life Balance: Maintain clear boundaries between professional and personal time to ensure you schedule time just for you.
  • Stay Physically Active: Integrate exercise into your day to lift your mood through endorphins – again, just 20 minutes is all it takes to get those happy hormones released and to feel better for it.
  • Soak Up Some Positivity: Dedicate time to enjoy content that makes you smile, whether it’s a comedy podcast, your favourite TV show, or a feel-good book.
  • Book Up Something to Look Forward to: It doesn’t need to be a trip to the Maldives, but booking something in the near future provides an energy boost and a sense of anticipation to brighten your day.
  • Reach Out for Career Support: Curious about new opportunities for 2025? Speak to our specialist consultants at Insight Executive Group. We have deep market insights and access to exclusive opportunities not listed on standard job boards. We’re also here to provide career advice and love supporting our network with informal chats to help steer your career, your team, and/or your business in the right direction.

Huge thanks to our colleagues for providing their tips to beat Blue Monday. We hope this helps a little to bring a splash of positivity to the start of your week!