Five tips to avoid the Blue Monday blues

Five tips to avoid the Blue Monday blues

It’s officially the most depressing day of the year. So how do you keep the glums at bay on Blue Monday and beyond?

By Lizzie Fletcher

The third Monday of January is officially the most depressing day of the year. It is gloomily referred to as Blue Monday and its sombre mood has been calculated using an equation.

    Since January is a long, hard month, it’s fair to assume we’ll all be feeling a bit blue on the 18th.  

The formula takes several factors into account, including weather conditions, debt level, time since Christmas, failed New Year’s resolutions and low levels of motivation.

This year, Blue Monday falls on 18 January. And although the Blue Monday calculus has now been debunked (the whole thing turned out to be a PR stunt cooked up by Sky Travel), Monday is universally acknowledged as the week’s most tiresome day.

Since January is a long, hard month, it’s fair to assume we’ll all be feeling a bit blue on the 18th. At this particular point in the month, many feel a little defeated. Perhaps we’re struggling to maintain a positive mental attitude.

But never fear, because help is at hand. To help you beat the Blue Monday blues, here are five mood-lifting tips, helping you on your way to a happier and healthier spring.

Keep active - Just Recruitment1. Keep Active

While it is tempting to stay curled up on the sofa throughout January, exercise plays an important role in boosting our mood. When we exercise, our brain releases chemicals that make us feel good and reduce stress.

You don’t need to run a marathon or spend hours in the gym. Research suggests that low to moderate intensity exercise is best for managing stress, with walking and yoga being especially popular options.

2. Eat Healthily

When you aren’t feeling great, it’s easy to turn to comforting food to lift your spirits.

But while there is nothing wrong with treating yourself once in a while, a diet made up of junk and convenience food is likely to do you more harm than good.

Studies suggest that eating more fruit and vegetables makes you feel better. Stay conscious of what you are eating, and make an effort to incorporate healthier foods into your everyday diet.

    Mental health issues, including depression, are strongly linked to poor sleep quality and sleeping disorders.  

3. Catch some zeds

A good night’s sleep is vital to remaining healthy. According to experts, it is just as important as exercising and eating well.

Mental health issues, including depression, are strongly linked to poor sleep quality and sleeping disorders.

It is easy to fall into a poor sleeping pattern, so try to regulate it as much as possible. Give yourself a set bedtime, and try to minimise screen time (phone and TV) in the hour before you fall asleep.

Set an alarm at a reasonable time in the morning, and try to ensure you are getting around eight hours of sleep per night. If you find that you struggle to nod off, try reading or meditation before turning in for the night.

4. Limit Alcohol

A stressful day at work can have you reaching for the bottle. But if you are already feeling down, alcohol is likely to make you feel a whole lot worse.

Drinking too much interferes with the neurotransmitters in your brain, so can have a real impact on your mental health. Cutting back on the booze (or even quitting completely) has a positive impact on how you think and feel.

If you’re worried that you or someone you know may be drinking too much, or using alcohol as a coping mechanism, you can find plenty of information and advice at Drinkaware.

Talk Things Through - Just Recruitment5. Talk Things Through

We all know that social interaction is important to human happiness. So make time to speak to those around you.

When we feel down, it can often seem as if no one understands or recognises what we are going through. Communication is really important, and opening up to someone – a colleague, friend or even a counsellor ­– can really help to make sense of our feelings and thoughts.

Sharing how you feel is hugely helpful. You may discover that other people feel a similar way. This can play a crucial role in alleviating feelings of isolation and loneliness.

To find more advice on mental health and wellbeing, visit Mind: a leading source of insight, help and information.

 

© Copyright 2021 Just Recruitment Group Ltd

Published: 18 January 2021

If you enjoyed this article, you may like: Six ways to keep your New Year’s resolutions alive

You may also enjoy: Just on mental health and wellbeing

Jobs currently available

Part-Time Finance Manager
Sector: Accountancy, Banking and Finance
Salary: Competitive
Location: Sudbury
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: 913741
About the role

Just Recruitment is supporting a growing, sector-leading business in Sudbury that is looking for a Part-Time Finance Manager to join their team.

The key purpose of this role is to manage the Finance Department and to support senior management in all areas of finance and accounting, reporting directly to the MD and being responsible for an Accounts Assistant.

Key duties include:

  • Reconciling current accounts on SAGE.
  • Updating the cash flow spreadsheet and reviewing.
  • Loading purchase invoices onto SAGE and distributing them for approval.
  • Producing Balance of Accounts for Finance Meeting.
  • Reviewing the sales ledger and purchase ledger.
  • Compiling supplier invoices, reviewing and loading for payment via Bacs, updating SAGE and sending remittance advice.
  • Managing SAGE backups.
  • Reconciling all bank accounts against paper statements.
  • Loading credit card payments onto SAGE and reconciling against the paper statement.
  • Calculating commission figures for payroll.
  • Processing wages – gathering all timesheets and expenses, compiling and sending to an outsourced company, receiving documents and payslips back, loading Bacs payments and sending payslips and loading Journals onto SAGE.
  • Downloading monthly supplier invoices.
  • Creating monthly sales invoices.
  • Compiling and filing VAT returns.
  • Compiling required documents for accountants at the financial year end, processing SAGE year-end end and communicating as necessary with accountants
  • Managing commercial and vehicle insurance. Reviewing current circumstances, reassessing cover and requirements, and supplying supporting documents.
  • All property management tasks with support from the Accounts Assistant.
  • Reconciling rental payments from the agent’s statement.
  • Communicating with and managing tenants when required.
  • Supporting other departments as required.

This is a part-time role - working 20 - 25 hours per week - this role is office-based, and the ideal candidate will be able to work Tuesdays and Thursdays, but hours can be flexible.

This is an excellent opportunity to join a lovely business, with a great ethos and a long-standing team.

 

Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

Read more
Field Service Engineer (North West Region)
Sector: Engineering and Manufacturing
Salary: Competitive
Location: North West
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: 913740
About the role

Just Recruitment is working with a growing, industry-leading business seeking to add a Field Service Engineer to its team. This role will cover the North West region, including Manchester, Lancashire, and the surrounding areas.

The key purpose of this role is to be responsible for the installation, commissioning, service, repair, breakdown, and maintenance of the company’s range of capital equipment across a variety of environments in the North West.

Duties include:

  • Installation, commissioning, maintenance, and fault finding of a wide range of different manufactured and third‐party equipment.
  • Provide user training to end clients when required.
  • Provide feedback to customers on any issues raised during a commissioning, maintenance, or fault‐finding visit.

To be considered for this exciting role, you must be able to demonstrate a background working in a field service or technical support role, gained within a capital equipment environment. You should be qualified to a minimum of level 3 or above in electrical installation/engineering/maintenance or another relevant technical discipline with 3 years’ experience. Alternatively, a gold card electrician would be considered along with 2391 testing and inspection.

Applicants are welcome from a wide range of equipment backgrounds.

You must have impeccable customer service skills and a confident and professional manner in customer-facing environments.

Key requirements include:

  • Previous experience in performing in a technical field service team.
  • Clear and concise written and spoken communication skills.
  • Ability to present information in a structured and balanced way.
  • Good working knowledge of Word and Excel.
  • Ability to work as part of a team.
  • Positive ‘can‐do’ attitude.
  • Problem solver ‐ ability to engineer solutions on the job.
  • Ability to work and manage in a high‐pressure environment.
  • Work autonomously, taking initiative to resolve customer issues.
  • Willing to travel and work unsociable hours when needed.
  • Some overnight stays are required.

This is an excellent opportunity to join a world-class organisation.

You will be:

  • Joining a national team of Field Service personnel who take great pride in their work and who aim to build upon long-term relationships with customers.
  • Continually challenged as you are exposed to new technologies.
  • You will receive constant support and guidance from senior management, and your technical knowledge will be enhanced through training courses.

For those with the desire, there are opportunities to progress your career within the department and into the wider company.

In return, you will benefit from dedicated product training, recognised by the industry, which will run on an ongoing basis as new products are introduced. A generous remuneration package is also guaranteed, including a competitive salary, company healthcare package, contributory pension scheme, phone, and laptop, along with the opportunity to progress your career within a market-leading organisation.

 

Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

Read more
Electrical Maintenance Engineer
Sector: Engineering and Manufacturing
Salary: Discussed on application
Location: Tiverton, Devon
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: TB25
About the role

Just Recruitment is seeking a Maintenance Engineer for a company based in Tiverton, Devon.

You will need to have an electrical bias and ideally have experience in an industrial or manufacturing environment.

The key objective of this role is to support the efficient operation of production facilities.

This includes:

  • Conducting regular safety inspections.
  • Performing both preventative and reactive maintenance on CNC machinery, and maintaining all site electrical systems.
  • Identifying and implementing improvements to increase efficiency, reduce downtime, and manage external contractors and maintenance resources.
  • Experience with CNC machinery is essential as a significant part of the role involves performing preventative and reactive maintenance on CNC machinery, including diagnostics and repair of control systems (Fanuc, Siemens, Hurco), and overseeing calibrations.
  • The role will also involve installation, testing, and maintenance of site electrical systems, including EV chargers.
  • Diagnosing and repairing electrical faults within machinery and control systems.
  • Overseeing machine calibrations and alignments.
  • Experience with PLC control systems.

Qualifications:

An electrical engineering qualification such as City & Guilds, HNC/HND, or equivalent is essential.

Hours:

39 hour working week: Monday to Thursday, 7am - 4pm and Friday 7am - 12pm.

This role offers Excellent Benefits, including:

  • 25 days holiday per annum, plus bank holidays
  • Company contributions to pension.
  • Healthcare cashback scheme.
  • Free on-site parking.
  • Opportunities for overtime at a premium rate.

 

Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

Read more
Material Process Technician
Sector: Engineering and Manufacturing
Salary: Discussed on application
Location: Braintree, Essex
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: TB24
About the role

Just Recruitment is recruiting for a Material Process Technician for their client based in Braintree, Essex.

Preference will be given to candidates with a background in science, chemistry or materials.

Duties will involve:

  • The production of technical data sheets.
  • Inspection of materials and evaluate product specifications.
  • Manufacturing materials and product samples for internal or customer use.
  • Monitoring and managing stock levels of raw materials and compounds.
  • Assisting in R&D.

 

Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

Read more
Production Operative
Sector: Engineering and Manufacturing
Salary: £26,800 per annum
Location: Sudbury
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: 913737
About the role

Just Recruitment is working with a growing global organisation, based on the outskirts of Sudbury - they are looking for a skilled Production Operator to join their team.

You must be willing to learn new skills and to work in a state-of-the-art, purpose-built facility, including undertaking comprehensive training to enable you to take part in tasting panels. Full training on the use of specialist equipment will be provided.

Key duties in this role include:

  • Handle ingredients on an industrial scale
  • Operate lines as required by the business
  • Undertake packaging, storage and distribution tasks
  • Maintaining accurate records in line with the required standards and customer requirements
  • Maintaining high standards of hygiene
  • Working closely with Operational, Logistics and other business teams to maximise production quality and efficiency
  • Uphold exceptional Health and Safety standards
  • Build a comprehensive knowledge of ingredients and processes to ensure production meets customer requirements

Skills required for this role:

  • The ability to follow written instructions and perform basic calculations
  • Previous experience of working to robust quality standards and following procedures
  • The ability to communicate with colleagues at all levels and confident to escalate any issues to ensure quality and safety
  • Strong computer literacy – e.g. able to input data, confirm settings on machinery and produce reports with training
  • Conscientious with strong attention to detail

Working hours for this role are:

3 Rotating Shifts (14.00 – 22.00; 06.00 – 14.00; 22.00 – 06.00; Monday – Friday, rotating weekly)

Free parking is available onsite and due to the company location, you must have access to your own transport.

 

Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
The salary advertised is the bracket available for this position. The actual salary paid will be dependent on your level of experience, qualifications and skill set.
We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

Read more