You乌鸦传媒檝e probably heard the term 乌鸦传媒榳inter blues乌鸦传媒�, 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.

乌鸦传媒淭he first thing we recommend is to assess,乌鸦传媒� Giesbrecht says. 乌鸦传媒淲e want to encourage people to reflect on 乌鸦传媒榟ow am I doing?乌鸦传媒櫸谘淮�媒�

As days get shorter, darker, and colder, it乌鸦传媒檚 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.

乌鸦传媒� CMHA Kelowna (@cmhakelowna)

Giesbrecht says it乌鸦传媒檚 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.

乌鸦传媒淚 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乌鸦传媒檙e drowning.乌鸦传媒�

If you乌鸦传媒檝e been feeling low for two weeks or more and the usual mood boosters aren乌鸦传媒檛 working, Giesbrecht says that is when you should find someone to talk to if you haven乌鸦传媒檛 already.

乌鸦传媒淲e recommend going to our website for resources. There乌鸦传媒檚 a lot of great links and information there, but you may also want to talk to your doctor.乌鸦传媒�

Once you乌鸦传媒檝e done a mental health check on yourself, start checking in with those around you.

乌鸦传媒淏e present, ask people how they乌鸦传媒檙e doing, and create safe opportunities for conversation.乌鸦传媒�

Giesbrecht adds that it乌鸦传媒檚 important to not minimize someone else乌鸦传媒檚 feelings.

乌鸦传媒淚f a person is saying they乌鸦传媒檙e really struggling it乌鸦传媒檚 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.乌鸦传媒�

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

READ MORE: Workout workshops supporting Kelowna Women乌鸦传媒檚 Shelter