Blue Monday: Psychotherapist shares 3 simple tips  to combat the most depressing date of the year - while some companies offer staff a day off if they're too sad to work

US therapist, Kristina Virro advised taking vitamin D, SAD lamps and moreREAD MORE: Psychotherapist reveals why everyone should be prioritizing ORGASMS

A psychotherapist has shared her top three tips to get you through this year’s ‘Blue Monday, which is said to be ‘the most depressing day’ in the calendar.

The idea was originally a marketing concept developed by Cliff Arnall in 2004 to ‘lift winter spirits’ and increase holiday bookings, but even though the day was manufactured, that doesn’t mean the January blues aren’t very real.

According to The Telegraph, certain companies are going as far as to give their staff time off if they’re too blue to work, such as James Thurlow-Craig, who is a director of a Hampshire-based agency, Creative Designs.

He told the publication: ‘Last year we [the team] went on a team bike ride, but this year we’re leaving people to their own devices. One of the team is doing charity work, while another is taking the dogs for a long walk.’

The chief executive of the PR firm Magic, Maj Hussain confessed he permits his employee to have Blue Monday off as a ‘mental health day’.

US therapist, Kristina Virro, has shared her three tips on getting through ‘the most depressing day of the year’

Meanwhile, US therapist, Kristina Virro, also known as @therapykristina on TikTok, has revealed her guide on getting through the glum period.

Her main advice is to not withdraw from the people around you and to make a conscientious effort to nurture connections with others and form ‘a sense of community’.

‘Sometimes whenever we are feeling low or in a depressed mood we actually withdraw but it creates this really vicious cycle of the more you withdraw,’ she explained

‘The more isolated you feel and the worse you feel, but the worse you feel the more you withdraw.’

The psychotherapist advised her following of 110,000 to go meet a friend for a coffee, or even watch a film with them, so they could still have company without the general chit-chat.

A group workout class is also another way you can feel ‘a sense of community’, according to Kristina.

Another top tip she advised was to schedule things ‘you will look forward to’ throughout the week.

Her final tip was ‘sad lamps’ – bright lamps that reportedly combat seasonal affective disorder (SAD) – a tool she claims work ‘super well’ for her.

She said: ‘You just put them on your desk and it helps you get a little bit of light and don’t forget to take your vitamin D.’

Among her recommendations include, taking vitamin D, ordering a SAD -seasonal affective disorder – lamp, as well as making a contentious effort to socialise with others and not to pull away and isolate oneself

If you believe you exhibit symptoms of SAD, you should seek an evaluation from a medical health professional, such as a GP.

Kristina’s advice aren’t the only tools to help you through the woes of winters, as small adjustments, such as, having a fixed bedtime can make all the difference.

Brain health experts from Brainworks Neurotherapy have shared that simply putting your phone away and getting enough sleep can benefit your mental health by producing essential hormones like melatonin and cortisol,

Similarly to Kristina, they also recommend people get enough light, although they believe in getting vitamin D the natural way.

They said you should be getting be outdoors for at least 10-15 minutes every day before 12pm, and again in the evenings.

This exposure to natural light is ‘essential’ to supporting your hormonal system and regulating the melatonin, cortisol and serotonin in your body, according to the team.

‘To maximise the benefits of this exercise, position yourself to face east, as this aligns you with the direction of the morning sun,’ they instructed.

‘It’s also important to repeat this practice in the evening, during sunset. This time, you should face west as the sun sets in that direction.’

Another way to ward of the January blues is to focus on what is going into your body.

Counseller Lee Hawker-Lecence urged people cut back on alcohol consumption, and fuel their body with exercise and nutritious foods during the depressive period.

They said: ‘Even when alcohol is consumed in moderation, it wreaks havoc on our mind and body over time and over the holiday season many of us will have over indulged.

‘Alcohol can contribute to stress, anxiety, and depression and now is a great time to look at your drinking habits and make positive changes.’

They added: ‘Lifestyle modifications such as increased physical fitness can assume great importance in individuals battling mental health issues helping to improve their mental fitness.

‘An essential component of lifestyle modification is exercise. Look to improve your physical fitness through aerobic exercise such as jogging.’

Recommending foods rich in selenium, Omega- 3 and vitamins A, B6 and C, they quipped: ‘Focus on foods that support healthy brain functioning and mood elevation.’

‘Keep in mind that while certain foods may not individually change mood, as part of an overall dietary plan they can be effective in boosting your emotional state.

Although a lot of the focus is on the individual to get through ‘Blue Monday’, some companies have decided to give their staff a helping hand,