This Monday is known annually as ‘Blue Monday’ – a day that is considered the most depressing time of the year.  

The holidays are over, the nights are long and dark, you’re going back to work and payday feels like a hollow journey as your bank account tries to recover from all that Christmas spending.

To keep away those feelings of sadness and isolation, why not visit a library?

Here are ten mood-boosting events and activities this Blue Monday:

1.       Write down your worries. Through January, you will have the opportunity to add your worries to Newmarket Library’s own ‘worry tree’ anonymously. Writing down your concerns has been repeatedly shown to have a positive impact on wellbeing and provide a much-needed therapeutic release, allowing you to focus on moving forward.

2.       Enjoy the seaside. For those of you who miss the blazing sun and seaside visits in the Summer, If you pop into Woodbridge Library at any point in January, you can view some stunning photos from amateur photographer Richard Mitchell who focuses on beaches, boats and the sea. Beat those seaside longings with the next best thing!

3.       Connect through comics. Local artist and author Irina Richards created an exhibition called ‘Seeing stories’ at Newmarket Library which investigates life experiences, human relationships and connections with the world around us using the medium of comics and graphic novels. It deals with sensitive issues and draws influences from diverse visual narrative traditions, including Japanese manga, and will be available to view until 26 January. 

4.       Take a break with chair-based relaxation. Ease yourself away from the stresses of everyday life with a chair-based relaxation at Felixstowe Library from 2.30pm – 3pm. Contact the library to book your place.

5.       Learn to be mindful. Ipswich County Library will be running a Mindfulness taster course in partnership with Wellbeing Suffolk from 12 – 1pm which will boost your wellbeing and help you learn to be more mindful of your surroundings. You can register for this event on the Suffolk Libraries website. 

6.       Manage your stress. Find out how you can reduce stress and boost your wellbeing at an ‘Everyday Wellbeing’ workshop at Ipswich County Library from 2pm – 4pm. This workshop is run in partnership with Wellbeing Suffolk and you can book via the Suffolk Libraries website.

7.        Take a crochet class. Available for both beginners and returners, Barbara Johnson of Spotty Dog Designs will be running a crochet class at Southwold Library for six weeks, starting on Monday 20 January. The class lasts 10am – 12 and will cost £5 per class or £25 for all six classes. 

8.       Have fun with words. If you’re looking for the next brain challenge or just enjoy socializing and playing games in good company, the new Chantry scrabble group will take place at Chantry library from 2pm – 4pm. The library also serves refreshments for a small charge and a place for people who are happy to chat at their leisure.

9.       Attend a reading group. Have you ever wanted to talk about books with a group of like-minded individuals? Broomhill Library have a readers group from 10:15 – 11:15 to talk about all the latest titles. The group meets on the third Monday of every month.

10.   Grab a coffee with Open Space. Open Space is a weekly drop-in group run by Suffolk Libraries in partnership with Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust, Julian Support, Richmond Fellowship and Suffolk Mind. There is no need to sign up and you can attend as often or as little as you like. On Blue Monday, the Open Space group at Bury St Edmunds Library will be meeting up for a coffee and chat. The group will meet at the library at 2pm.

For more information on events and activities taking place at libraries, visit www.suffolklibraries.co.uk or pop into your local library to see what’s on.