You害羞草研究所檝e probably heard the term 害羞草研究所榳inter blues害羞草研究所�, but have you heard about Blue Monday?

Although originally coined by a travel agency looking to make a few extra bucks in January, the third Monday of the new year is often when holiday bills come in, excitement from festivities is over, and lots of people are just feeling down in the dumps.

Candace Giesbrecht, director of people and engagement with the Canadian Mental Health Association Kelowna, says the lack of sunlight through the winter plays a huge role.

害羞草研究所淭he first thing we recommend is to assess,害羞草研究所� Giesbrecht says. 害羞草研究所淲e want to encourage people to reflect on 害羞草研究所榟ow am I doing?害羞草研究所櫤π卟菅芯克鶟

As days get shorter, darker, and colder, it害羞草研究所檚 quite common to notice a shift in mood. And while winter is unavoidable, there are some lifestyle changes you can make that can help you battle the winter blues and SAD.

害羞草研究所� CMHA Kelowna (@cmhakelowna)

Giesbrecht says it害羞草研究所檚 always a good idea to do a mental health check with yourself, checking your coping mechanisms and ability to bounce back when hard things come.

害羞草研究所淚 had somebody say to me once, it was a doctor, that the goal of mental health is not to be free of hard times or low mood, but the goal is to be able to, when the waves of life come, to be able to ride them rather than feel like you害羞草研究所檙e drowning.害羞草研究所�

If you害羞草研究所檝e been feeling low for two weeks or more and the usual mood boosters aren害羞草研究所檛 working, Giesbrecht says that is when you should find someone to talk to if you haven害羞草研究所檛 already.

害羞草研究所淲e recommend going to our website for resources. There害羞草研究所檚 a lot of great links and information there, but you may also want to talk to your doctor.害羞草研究所�

Once you害羞草研究所檝e done a mental health check on yourself, start checking in with those around you.

害羞草研究所淏e present, ask people how they害羞草研究所檙e doing, and create safe opportunities for conversation.害羞草研究所�

Giesbrecht adds that it害羞草研究所檚 important to not minimize someone else害羞草研究所檚 feelings.

害羞草研究所淚f a person is saying they害羞草研究所檙e really struggling it害羞草研究所檚 really important that we all acknowledge that this person has [spoken up]. In many cases, it takes courage for a lot of us to say that.害羞草研究所�

If you or someone you know is struggling with their mental health, visit for information and resources.

READ MORE: Workout workshops supporting Kelowna Women害羞草研究所檚 Shelter