Blue Monday, (20th January 2025), falls on the third Monday of January and is said to be the most depressing day of the year.
We’re all a little fed up with the cold, dark evenings, and the promise of warm summer days still seems a long way off. Throw in the eternity until pay day and it’s no wonder some of us are feeling the post-festive slump.
If you need to beat the blues, Recycle Devon has these low or zero cost tips to help you rekindle your mojo:
Be a local tourist – vibrant waterfronts, scenic walks, historical buildings and more, Devon has it all! Check out free things to do and places to visit on Devon’s Top Attractions website.
Grown your own – research shows that growing your own plants, whether herbs, vegetables, fruits or flowers, can significantly reduce depression and anxiety. A balcony, patio or even windowsill can be useful growing spots if you don’t have a garden. Growing your own food also helps to reduce packaging waste, and you can keep the costs down by going to seed swap events. These top tips can help you get started.
Go outdoors – bundle up in warm clothes and go for a walk with friends, or listen to your favourite music or a podcast. Spending time in green spaces does wonders for our physical and mental health. Look out for birds and wildlife – nature is everywhere, even in busy cities! Not sure where to go? Download a free walking app such as Go Jauntly to find local routes and trails, or join the world’s largest treasure hunt AKA Geochaching but be warned, it’s addictive!
Volunteer – As well as helping others, volunteering has been shown to improve volunteers’ wellbeing too. It’s human nature to feel good after helping someone out and it can also help us gain valuable new skills and boost confidence. Devon has a thriving volunteer community when it comes to Reducing, Reusing and Recycling – from Repair Cafes and community larders to Share Sheds and litter picks, there is something for everyone! Find out what groups are in your area and contact them for volunteering opportunities.
Get baking – who doesn’t love delicious home baked cakes, pies and pastries? Home baking is a great activity for children and helps improve understanding around using different utensils and ingredients in the kitchen. Check out these child friendly recipes. Why stop at baking? Batch cooking gets you ahead of the game for the week ahead, saves money (no impulse buying or unbudgeted takeaways here, thank you very much!) and reduces waste. A bit of prep today provides delicious meals in minutes over the next few days. Winner, winner, batch cooked dinner!
Borrow a dog – we’ve already mentioned the benefits of walking outdoors, but spending time with our furry four–legged friends is even better for our health and wellbeing! Studies show that dogs reduce stress, anxiety and depression. They ease loneliness, encourage exercise and improve your overall health. If you don’t own a dog, borrow one! Whether it’s an informal arrangement with a friend, or signing up to a dog walking website, there are plenty of opportunities to be had. You can even get paid for dog walking services on some sites, such as Rover.
Charity shopping – cheer yourself up with a good rummage around the local charity shops. Make it a team effort with friends, or go alone, it’s the perfect activity to while away an hour or two. Charity shops also have a significant positive impact on our wellbeing. Research found that giving back to others, doing something good for the planet and opportunities to socialise were among the top responses people gave when asked what charity shops meant to them. There are all sorts of interesting treasures waiting to be discovered – just remember to take a reusable bag so you can carry them all home!
We hope you find these ideas useful. If you’re looking to put even more pep in your step, why not check out our other blogs? Forget about the weather outside and find out more about reducing, reusing and recycling in Devon!
