Socks, salsa and stand-up comedy… easy ways to find joy in January

There’s a reason it’s called Blue Monday. Smack-bang in the middle of a month that’s all about freezing drizzle and self-denial, the third Monday in January is notoriously the dreariest day of the year.

But some of us resist.

Here are some ways to find joy amidst the gloom of January.

Laughter is a great tonic. Making others laugh is even better.

Just ask Paddy Merritt. The 24-year-old actor took up stand-up comedy last year and now he’s hooked.

He says his legs are shaking for the first time. But the third concert was “great”.

“People were laughing really hard.”

“It’s a wonderful thing to feel like you’re bringing joy to others.”

Even if you’re nervous, he says, it can be a form of exposure therapy, going deep socially. If things go wrong, you can still be proud that you tried.

Sophie Scott, professor of cognitive neuroscience at University College London, has dabbled in stand-up herself.

as he said What’s Up Docs on BBC Radio 4, A wide variety of things can bring joy, but it is almost always found in the presence of others.

So, if you don’t want to go on stage but instead want to watch a comedy or just hang out with friends, he recommends anything where you have a chance to experience one of those “laugh until your face hurts” moments.

The joy, he says, is often quite intense. Unlike other forms of happiness, such as comfort or contentment, there is a feeling of “being carried away.”

But don’t panic if the joy doesn’t happen instantly, says Sophie. If you want birds to come to your garden, don’t walk around the garden shouting “come on, birds,” he points out. You beautify the garden and wait.

“Allow yourself to be enthusiastic about everything. Allow yourself to be interested in things and people,” he says.

Ana Cass says seeing other people is definitely a source of joy for her. The 27-year-old data scientist struggles with seasonal affective disorder, which means January can be rough, but she’s found ways to fight back.

“The thing that helped the most was having dinner with friends.

“We take turns hosting. We hang out. We chat. It’s the best thing I’ve done all winter.”

On weekends, he and his friends often choose to meet at the sauna and plunge pool rather than cafes, adding to the excitement that comes with it.

“This rush makes you forget that January is miserable and cold.”

Joy often has a physical aspect, says Sophie Scott.

“Almost all expressions of joy involve jumping, running, and movement.”

There is even the expression “jumping for joy”.

Poet David Larbi thinks that even a tiny moment of joy can quicken your steps.

“The sun rose today and I left early.

“I was listening to the right music – Stevie Wonder,” he says.

“So I skipped a bit.”

Dancing and listening to music you love are great ways to give yourself an “endorphin boost,” says Scott. Even a short walk will make you feel a little better, he says.

Ana suggests salsa lessons, which she has been doing for ten years, as another thing that brings her joy.

Dancing, she says, allows for everyday social interactions that are no longer common, such as working from home, online shopping and physical intimacy.

“When you dance closely, you touch. That human aspect feels good.”

David Larbi states that you don’t have to wait for salsa night.

“On an average day, you can give a little smile to four or five things that seem very small but give you a feeling of happiness,” she says.

“The good thing about doing this is that the more you notice those little moments, the happier you will be and the more likely you are to notice them.”

He shares his optimistic philosophy on social media, and there is He published a book called Happy Often, which encourages people to look for uplifting moments in each day.

“It was very cold this morning, I put on my socks. My feet were a little warmer.

“That moment of joy made me feel so much better.”

And if sometimes in the middle of January it feels like winter is about to take you over, with its harsh winds and long nights, remember, she says, it’s nothing personal.

“Winter is not actively malevolent,” he says. “It’s just the earth doing what it’s supposed to do.”