โItโs the most dreaded time of the year, Blue Monday. As Storm Brendan batters the UK with gusts of more than 80mph winds, itโs no wonder that so many end-to-end supply chain professionals feel down in the dumps this time of year.
Mulled wine, mince pies and Donโt Stop the Calvary seem like a distant memory. Instead, weโre left with a sorry bank balance and an engorged waistline. While the science behind Blue Monday may be less than robust, many professionals feel less than chirpy during the winter. Why does this change to our mood happen?
The logic behind Blue Monday
Fewer daylight hours can affect your usual neurochemical processes. Darkness encourages the body to produce melatonin, which plays a role in the sleep-wake cycle. During the working hours, this hormone can cause lethargy and sluggishness.
In the UK, approximately 29% of the population suffers from seasonal affective disorder (SAD), according to research commissioned by The Weather Channel and YouGov. For eight percent of people, the disorder may just make them feel a bit blue. For 57%, however, SAD can have a really detrimental effect on their quality of life and productivity at work.
โThe weather has a huge effect on all of our lives each day,โ says managing director Ross Webster, โfrom what we wear, to what we eat and where we go.โ
The symptoms of SAD include low mood, lack of motivation, an inability to enjoy normally fun activities, feelings of guilt, overtiredness, a craving for sweet or carbohydrate-rich foods and weight gain.
How to beat Blue Monday
If you are feeling any of the above, you should probably seek advice from a healthcare professional. In the meantime, if your trying to improve your mood at work, there are many scientifically proven ways to do so. Download our guide to read our top 5 recommendations to beat Blue Monday.