How to Brighten Blue Monday and Beat Diabetes

 

To those of us living in the Northern Hemisphere today is claimed to be Blue Monday, the most depressing day of the year! Why?, you may reasonably ask, it’s like a Hallmark day gone wrong!

According to Wikipedia the concept was first published in 2005 by Cliff Arnell who used a formula to back his claim.

“The formula uses many factors, including: weather conditions, debt, time since Christmas, time since failing our new year’s resolutions, low motivational levels and feeling of a need to take action”

 

Interestingly, in 2018, Arnall stated that it was

“never his intention to make the day sound negative”,  rather

“to inspire people to take action and make bold life decisions“.

I’m a fan of “bold life decisions”. According to Benjamin Hardy, author of Willpower Doesn’t Work, goals need to be set around specific numbers and tangible events.

A good example for someone with Type 2 diabetes might be:

“In 90 days My blood sugars will be consistently 6.5 or under, I will have lost 10 kg’s. I will walk 12,000 steps every day and at Easter I will organise a hike and healthy picnic for (named) family and friends”.

The more specific you are the more likely you are to achieve those goals. Your brain likes it best this way and is way more likely to point you in the direction of said goals if it knows exactly what it is you are trying to achieve. In other words, you help yourself best by being as specific as possible. It also is a huge help to document your big WHY. It’s important to be very clear with yourself your exact reasons why you are motivated to do this and remind yourself of them every single day.

 

However if you are feeling a little down and finding it difficult to motivate yourself to name your goals or take action there may be good reason for that. Without doubt it is more difficult for some people to take big action and there are many reasons why someone with diabetes may feel a more blue than a healthy person.

 

Studies show that people with diabetes are 2- 4 times at greater risk of having low mood/depression than those of the healthy population.

 

But there is no getting away from the fact that diabetes is 99% self-care so you really need to work on emotional strength and resilience to deal with it and to find the motivation to make the necessary changes.

 

Self love, self care and self compassion are the magic ingredients to fuel your drive and determination to make those changes, ignite your health and enjoy the rewards.

 

So maybe today is the day to do a check in on your mental health or your ‘feeling blue’ radar and assess how much attention you are giving your emotional health.

 

If you feel that you may be depressed please talk to a friend, a therapist or your doctor. Don’t wait another day.

 

Do bear in mind that food, exercise and sleep all have a massive impact on our mood so eat plenty good mood foods like nuts, avocado’s, salmon, strawberries and lentils.

 

Believe it or not vegetables can have a big impact on our emotional health too so be sure to particularly  include green veggies and add some more colours too.

 

Having a stable blood sugar is likely to boost your mood too and erratic blood sugars can be torture for your mood.

 

Take a walk. Ideally in nature. Or any exercise that you love. It boosts endorphin levels and it is rare that any of us regret doing some exercise.

 

Mostly be kind to yourself. Put yourself first. Prioritise your health and everyone around you will benefit. Trying to tackle diabetes with a low mood is lonely and hard.

Feeling empowered, determined and supported makes it so much easier. The rewards are phenomenal. Do something nice for yourself today and if you would like to talk I’m here for you. Message me for a free 20 minute coaching session.