Care Trust’s tips for mental wellbeing to beat the blues this Blue Monday

January can often feel like a long and challenging month. After the colour and connection of the festive season, shorter days, colder weather and the pressure to start the year positively can all affect how we feel, leaving many people experiencing low mood, stress or anxiety.

Blue Monday, often described as the “most miserable day of the year”, falls on Monday 19 January 2026. While the concept itself is not based on scientific evidence, it has become a useful moment to pause, check in with ourselves and others, and recognise that it’s okay to need extra support during the winter months.

To help combat the January slump, Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust is offering top tips for mental wellbeing, along with resources from Bradford District and Craven Talking Therapies. This is to encourage people across Bradford, Wharfedale, Airedale and Craven to prioritise their mental wellbeing in 2026 and to take advantage of the wide range of advice and support available, including professional talking therapies.

The idea of Blue Monday originated from a calculation involving factors such as cold weather, financial pressures, low motivation and abandoned New Year’s resolutions. While the science behind it is debated, it can still act as a useful reminder to check in with ourselves and others.

This Blue Monday, the Care Trust recommends a number of small, everyday actions that can help boost mood during the winter months, including:

• Getting enough sleep and keeping a regular routine
• Staying active, even if it’s just a short daily walk or gentle exercise at home
• Eating well and drinking plenty of water
• Spending time outdoors in daylight whenever possible
• Staying socially connected and talking about how you feel
• Making time for enjoyable activities and relaxation
• Practicing self-compassion – noticing negative self-talk and responding with kindness rather than criticism
• Reducing digital overload by taking regular breaks from news and social media
• Setting realistic goals for the new year, focusing on progress rather than perfection

For those who feel they need extra support, Bradford District and Craven Talking Therapies offers help for people experiencing low mood, anxiety, stress, sleep problems and more. Support includes online courses, guided self-help, group sessions and one-to-one therapy.

As part of its offer, the award-winning service also uses Limbic Care, an online self-referral and assessment tool. Limbic Care allows people to access support quickly and easily, at a time that suits them, by completing an initial assessment online. This helps ensure people are guided to the most appropriate support for their needs without needing to visit their GP first.

Naomi Holdsworth, Operations Service Manager for Bradford District and Craven Talking Therapies, said: “January can be a really challenging time, and Blue Monday is a good opportunity to remind people that support is available. Whether it’s trying small self-care steps at home or accessing our talking therapies, we want people to know they don’t have to cope alone.”

The service is open to anyone aged 16 and over who is registered with a GP in Bradford, Wharfedale, Airedale or Craven. People can self-refer directly online at: www.bdctalkingtherapies.nhs.uk  without going through their GP.

For more tips, visit the Knowledge Bank section on the Bradford District and Craven Talking Therapies website for practical advice you can implement today.

For information on all mental health and wellbeing support services in Bradford and Craven and self-help resources and apps, visit www.healthyminds.services.