Get ready to tackle the January blues head-on

Wasn’t that a party! Now it’s payback time.

Jan. 16 is Blue Monday, deemed the most depressing day of the year. You over-bought, over-ate, and over-committed in December — now prepare to be overwhelmed with a harsh dose of reality.

The holiday season fun is a distant memory, so too are your New Year’s resolutions. The weather is gloomy and energy level even gloomier.

Well, don’t be dictated by the date. Beat back the blues and have a happy Monday with tips from Dr. Frank Farley, a psychologist at Temple University, Philadelphia:

The Go-For-Grins Solution

Cabin yourself all day if you can or as much as possible and watch TV comedies, comedy movies, read humorous books, share jokes with family or friends — whatever you can do cheaply and easily. One way to defeat a bad habit can be with a good habit. Laughter lifts the gloom.

The It-Could-Be-Worse Attitude

Think about really bad things in life you have escaped from, or luckily missed out on, that make your life shine by comparison.

Factor Z

Go to bed. Get a full day and night of sleep. Disengage from these dreary realities. Take a pass.

The Play-Day Plan

Play the day away. Right now make a list of the five things you most like doing, e.g., sex, reading a Postmedia newspaper, playing cards, time on Facebook, going to the zoo, etc., and then start doing them.

The Self-Help Scenario

Start today to resolve to never let this day have any negative impact on you again. Google the words positive psychology, read about it and turn a whole new leaf!

Keep Moving

All things pass in time. Keep that balanced perspective on Jan. 16 and every day. You’ll get through the day. Don’t catastrophize!