Have you ever heard about Blue Monday? Can it affect your bodybuilding gains? While Blue Monday may not have a lot to do with bodybuilding at first glance, there are a lot of things that these two may have in common.
What is Blue Monday?
The third Monday in January has been named Blue Monday and that’s because it is apparently the most depressing day of the year. So, if you’re feeling a little gloomy towards the end of January, you may be experiencing what is known as Blue Monday. This term goes back to British Psychologist Dr. Cliff Arnall, who created a mathematical formula way back in 2005. The formula considers different factors such as:
- January weather
- Debt
- Time passed since Christmas and New Year celebrations (holidays)
- Falling off the wagon of our New Year’s resolutions
According to the formula of Dr. Cliff Arnall, all of these together form the very gloomy Blue Monday.
Blue Monday – Most Depressing Day Of The Year?
Well, I guess we all know that Monday is already considered the most depressing day of the week, year round. But in combination with the theory of Dr. Arnall, the third Monday of January makes it the gloomiest day of the year, called the Blue Monday.
Whether that’s true or not, there is some logic behind this. By the third Monday of January, we’re all just feeling pretty fed up, isn’t it? By this day, we’re far out of the festive period, we’re trying to bounce back from Christmas financially (by this day, we’re usually left with less financial blessings than usual), and on top of this, we’re putting extra pressure on ourselves through New Year’s resolutions. Not to mention that most of us are falling off the wagon of pursuing our bodybuilding goals. Usually, the holidays make us skip gym sessions and eat more. This influences our hormones, our mental health, and especially after we add a bit more pounds of fat than we would love to. And as a “bonus” – it is all pretty gray and dark outside as there’s little natural light around in the winter months.
So, based on all of this, Blue Monday might be a thing. How does it affect your bodybuilding goals? Some people who fall off the bodybuilding goals wagon and get to Blue Monday, never come back to bodybuilding. Needless to mention how huge of a mistake that is. On the other hand, however, if you’re going to smash the gym on Blue Monday, you’re likely going to make it easier.
- In the end, if you want to stay away from the Blue Monday darks, check below some top tips that help banish those January blues. These tips may also help you stay on track with your bodybuilding goals.
How to Banish the Blues of Blue Monday?
It may feel like this negative feeling is going to last forever, but it is extremely important to remember that it will definitely not. If you want to banish the blues and smash out of the gloom of Blue Monday and stay on track, better go for the following tips that help you get through it easier and faster:
Set achievable goals
It is very important to set achievable goals. We get it all. Three weeks ago, most of us were loading up on chocolate and pies. Now, out of a sudden, it is a new year and a new you. You are hitting the gym most days and you are trying to eat healthy, counting calories. But this only left you feeling crap. That’s because it is all a bit too much, too fast, and too soon. You might’ve purchased a lot of books on how to become your best self, but you’ve only read the back cover so far. This can be just too much. So if you’re struggling with the Blue Monday or whatever January blues, then you may need to cut back on all your different goals. At least, for now. That’s because it can be hard to manage it all. In no way I’m trying to say that you should stop working. What I’m trying to say is that you shouldn’t try changing your entire life completely, only stick to making two or three changes. Those small changes will lead to huge results in the long run.
If you’re full of determination to make real gains this year, do not attempt to live the life of an actual bodybuilder who’s been doing it for years attempting to do it all in one go. Have a few small changes and stick to them. And set achievable goals in the long run too. You are unlikely to get into a competition in just a year, so you shouldn’t get the blues if you can’t compete after a year.
Track your spending
Trust me, you’re not the only one feeling like you have a mountain of Christmas debt after the holiday season. The Online Tax Rebate experts suggest that on average, it takes about 5 months to pay off Christmas debt. So, it would be best if you could manage your Christmas debt. You do that by keeping a close eye on where your money goes. This way, you can start the year off the right way.
Go through the subscriptions and make sure that you’re using them all because a lot of us sign up for things that we do not use again, but forget to cancel. Track what you’re spending when grocery shopping. For example, a lot of us buy things that we later end up throwing in the trash without even using them. Also, do not attempt to buy Christmas gifts that you’re unsure how you’re going to pay. Do not try to impress anyone, better go for presents that you can pay for.
Get Enough Vitamin D
Most people can’t wait for the summer to come. That’s because most people feel much better when the sun is shining. But why? Simply because in the summer, we’re usually getting our vitamin D levels topped up. This plays a crucial role in regulating mood, fighting off depression, and even in our muscle gains, strength, hormonal balance, and so on.
While we still have sun in the winter, there are multiple reasons why we still do not get enough of the essential vitamin D. For example, we have significantly less sun in the winter as the dark tends to stay for much longer. We also do not have sun on as many days as we tend to have in summer, because the winter season is full of cloudy days. Lastly, even when the sun does show up, the rays are not strong enough. You could get supplements of vitamin D, or you could make sure that you get enough of this vitamin into your body with the foods that are rich in this vitamin. Such as:
- Egg yolks
- Mushrooms
- Salmon
- Trout
- Mackerel
These are some excellent sources of vitamin D, among others.
Understand why you want to make resolutions
A lot of us are making a lot of plans on New Year’s Eve with lots of resolutions, but we all know that it is not as easy to stick to them. Instead of setting yourself a lot of goals, I would rather recommend digging a bit deeper into why you want to do “that” thing. A lot of us do not realize that “how” is not as important as “why”. And if we do not understand “why” then “how” becomes unmanageable. Moreover, this way you’re going to answer to yourself what resolutions you really want to do for yourself, but which ones are not actually that important.
For example, if you’re not really understanding “why” you want to work out and have a good diet to support bodybuilding gains, then “how” you can do that becomes a problem. You simply do not have the motivation necessary to do that. So, if you are serious about making a change, you need to sit down and create a list of the pros and cons of what this change will make. This list can help motivate you or give up on something.
Enjoy the process
It is important to keep your eyes on the price and focus on the goal. But if you’re only looking at the goal itself and do not focus on the journey, it is very hard to stick with it and enjoy the process. That’s because we’re far more likely to keep up with what we’re enjoying doing, rather than something we don’t.
So, if you’re trying to cut on a habit like smoking, then do not focus only on the fact that you can’t smoke, but focus on the benefits that it provides now that you don’t smoke anymore. Such as no bad breath, no more bad smells, getting your lungs healthier, and so on. Also, you could replace the bad habit with a healthy one. For example, instead of a cigarette, you could eat a veggie, for example. Instead of a cigarette, just admire the sky (your eyes will thank you), and so on.
Balance your finances
In case you cannot currently afford to clear your debt in just one go, then you should consider a balance transfer credit card. There are lots of balance transfer deals that offer 0% interest, especially around the New Year. This means that any money that you put in goes towards paying off the actual debt. This can greatly help get back on track and take control of your payments.
Try some new foods
Most of us felt the guilt of indulging in a sugary snack, especially in the late afternoon. This can make you even feel fatigued and low on energy later. Instead, you could go with a handful of almonds instead. They are rich in folate, iron, niacin, riboflavin, and magnesium – all of which help reduce fatigue and tiredness. Moreover, they are also packed with protein and fiber, which help you feel fuller for longer supporting your goals. You can go for foods that you have never tried before to keep you motivated too. And better go for foods you never tried before that tend to be healthier.
Speak to someone about how you’re feeling
In case you’re feeling low and depressed, better speak to somebody about how you’re feeling. In case you feel like the January blues or especially the Blue Monday bounces you back and feels an impact in terms of how you’re living, it is important to speak it out. Also, try to check the differences between Seasonal Affective Disorder and clinical depression.
There’s a huge difference between the two. If you’re living with depression, then your thoughts and feelings are going to last way over Blue Monday, and longer than just in January. At the same time, the symptoms can vary. From feelings of low self esteem, and tiredness to feeling helplessness or being lost, you could even have physical aches and pains. In case you’re unsure, it is always best to seek help. And you can do it by speaking about it. If you’re not ready to speak to a doctor about how you feel, at least talk to a friend or family member. You may not feel like this won’t make a change, but speaking out can greatly help. You shouldn’t feel this way, and you shouldn’t go through this alone.
Bonus
If you’re suffering from low testosterone levels, it’s going to hugely contribute to those feelings of January Blues and depression on Blue Monday. Unfortunately, not all doctors agree to prescribe testosterone injections even when they are most needed. Having low testosterone will come with a lot of negative symptoms such as anxiety, depression, inability to gain muscle and strength, erectile dysfunction, and numerous others. You definitely should find ways to boost your testosterone levels and the absolute best and fastest way to do so is through testosterone injections.
At HGH.to you can also buy HGH that can greatly contribute to your both mental and physical health. Lots of people who use testosterone alone suggest they are feeling way better. Stacking it with HGH makes them feel to a whole new level. But there are also numerous other compounds that can help you build muscle fast, melt away fat, and boost your libido, all considerably contributing to your mental health.
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