January can be a difficult time for many. After the festivities of the holiday season and New Year, it’s not unusual to feel a little sad. In fact, it’s so common that it’s known as the January Blues!
December is full of get-togethers with family and friends. Streets feel so festive with holiday lights and decorations. We have twinkling lights on Christmas trees, special holiday decorations and traditions. Everything is so warm and cozy. Then, suddenly, we are encouraged to put away all of those decorations, declutter our homes, make a whole bunch of resolutions for better health, better work habits, better relationships.
Does this all leave you feeling a little anxious or glum? Personally, on the last night of my Christmas holiday, I had difficulty falling asleep. My mind was racing through all of the “to-dos” that I had postponed while I took time off.
The start of the new year - January 1st - is also International Self Care Day. Most of us have felt lonely at some point in our lives, and this can have a significant impact on our mental health. People living alone can be especially vulnerable to social isolation, which is a contributing factor to serious health issues such as heart disease, cognitive decline, high blood pressure, and depression. Are you taking care of yourself? It’s so important to take in some sunshine, some fresh air – especially when daylight hours are short like they are in January. We need to get together with friends – and that doesn’t have to involve spending wads of money (which can definitely be in short supply post holidays). We need to fuel our bodies with good nutrition, but that doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t occasionally indulge in a special treat.
Perhaps we should look a little more closely at how Mother Nature works. Many Indigenous Peoples use the 28-day moon cycle as their lunar calendar, giving the year 13 months instead of 12. Some Indigenous Peoples refer to North America as Turtle Island while others, like the Ojibwa, use Turtle Island to describe the entire world. On the turtle’s shell, there are 28 small scales forming an outer ring and 13 larger scales inside the centre of the shell. These large scales represent the 13 lunar months. The 13th lunar moon is known by the Ojibwa as the Sugaring Moon, celebrating the gift of maple sap. The 1st lunar moon is known as the Flowering Moon. So – perhaps we should look at celebrating the New Year in the early spring? It’s a natural time of rebirth and rejuvenation!
If you do find yourself suffering from the January blues, in addition to all the health resolutions of good sleep habits, nutritious food, exercise and spending time outside, remember to be kind to yourself and try to shift your focus to one of gratitude. Indulge in your favourite hobby – creative tasks like knitting are beneficial to your mental health! And, if you find yourself feeling lonely, you are welcome to join us via Zoom for a social evening of knitting and fun at our virtual Ewe Love to Knit Night every Tuesday from 7:30 – 9 p.m. AST. All skill levels welcome, just bring your project and have fun!!
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