A special pop-up event on Monday, Jan. 20 aimed to spread some cheer and brighten a few faces in the area.
Did you know that the third Monday in January has been identified as the saddest day of the year; so much so that it has been given the name “Blue Monday”?
There are several reasons for this. By the third Monday of the New Year, many people are feeling down, even depressed. New Year’s resolutions might have started to fall by the wayside. Many people are feeling a financial pinch after Christmas spending. The weather is cold, days are still short and nights long, and the cheery lights and decorations of the Christmas season have been turned off and put away.
Because of this, the Ashcroft and District Hospice Society and the South Cariboo Elizabeth Fry Society hosted surprise events at a number of locations in Cache Creek, Clinton, Ashcroft, and Spences Bridge on Blue Monday (Jan. 20). The aim was to spread some positivity and show people not only that they are cared for within their communities, but that there is joy, kindness, and care almost everywhere.
Trish Schachtel, executive director of the South Cariboo E. Fry Society, said that they wanted to “combat the winter blues” with the pop-up events, which were not announced in advance.
“When we made a few phone calls about this last-minute event, our communities rallied in support and were all on board," she said. "The positive response from all of the Canada Post Office sites was the first sign that we might be able to pull this off.
“Then we called the local coffee shops in the communities and they were excited and wanted to participate too. Then we needed some happy face cookies to hand out, and Birchwood Marketplace took on that challenge. Safety Mart rounded out the event with bringing in the carnations.”
She added that finding friendly community faces to host at the tables was the easiest part. On Jan. 20, visitors to the four post offices were offered cookies, carnations, happy face stickers, cards offering positive affirmation, coupons to a local coffee shop good for a free tea or coffee and a treat, and plenty of friendly smiles.
“The local community coffee shops were huge supporters,” said Schachtel. “Thanks to the Junction Coffee Shop [Clinton], Ashcroft Bakery and Coffee Shop, The Packing House [Spences Bridge], and Junctions Coffee Shop [Cache Creek]. We loved the idea of people being able to go to a community coffee shop to connect with others, or just to sneak away from the demands of life and enjoy a warm drink and treat.”
Feeling a bit down or blue is natural, but it can turn into something more. Depression is a serious illness, and those suffering from it should seek help. However, there are some steps you can take to help manage depression:
- Eat well: There is a strong link between an unhealthy diet and feeling tired and lacking in energy. Eat plenty of fruit, vegetables, and protein; stay hydrated; and avoid highly processed foods.
- Keep active: Regular exercise has been proven to help maintain good mental health and helps people sleep better. This doesn’t mean hitting the gym for intense sessions; something as simple as a 10-minute walk helps.
- Get enough sleep: Go to bed at a reasonable hour, and give yourself time to relax and unwind before you hit the sheets. Avoid watching TV or scrolling through your phone, tablet, or laptop just before you go to bed, as this can wake you up more and/or get you upset. Try reading a book or listening to relaxing music instead.
- Avoid drink or drugs: Relying on alcohol or drugs to relax you or change your mood will only make things worse.
- Talk to someone: As many as one in four adults will experience mental health issues at some point, but many people feel uncomfortable, embarrassed, or ashamed talking about it. If you are feeling depressed, and it is affecting your life, talk to someone about it: a partner, friend, relative, or colleague, or a professional such as a GP, therapist, counsellor, or psychiatrist.
In B.C., you can call 310-6789 (no area code needed) for free mental health support, including emotional support, information, and resources specific to mental health. Call 1-800-784-2433 if you are experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including thoughts of suicide.
Schachtel says that they hope to do a few more random pop-ups that support wellness, so be on the lookout for more events in our area designed to make the day a little brighter and put a smile on your face.
