They call it Blue Monday, the third Monday in the month of January.
It's not called Blue Monday because the day is actually blue - but it sure would be nice to see some blue sky at this time of year! Rather, it is supposed to be the most depressing day of the year. There is even a bizarre mathematical equation that was used to come to this conclusion.
Blue Monday may or may not have any true merit worthy of a designation, but I have to admit, the January blues do get to me. Being a sun-worshiping, outdoorliving, animal-loving country girl, it's challenging for me to remain indoors while the rain pelts down endlessly around me. I'd rather have blue skies and cool temperatures than grey skies and balmy weather. "The cold never bothered me anyway," Frozen's Queen Elsa so eloquently said before turning and slamming the door on the world.
Escaping into my animalfilled world is my go-to therapy when it comes to battling the blues and making that seasonal depression run in the opposite direction with its tail between its legs. There is a quote often attributed to Winston Churchill that goes, "The outside of a horse is good for the inside of a man." I'll take that one step further and add dogs to that equation. The outside of a dog is good for the inside of anyone.
Dogs have long since been linked to easing the effects of, and even curing, mild to moderate forms of depression, be it clinical or seasonal. There are many reasons for this and, not surprisingly, the one at the top of the list is the uncomplicated love factor. Complicated, dramatic relationships with friends and family can often leave one feeling frayed and unvalued. A relationship with a dog is not complicated and dogs are more than willing to give us warm, fuzzy feelings of acceptance and love without the head-spinning drama.
Depression makes a person pull away from loved ones, creating a feeling of isolation and loneliness. When you share your life with a dog, you are never alone. Heck, try going to the bathroom and leaving the door open with a dog in the house and you are sure to learn that you are never alone.
Dogs are also social icebreakers. Depression can create a fear of interacting with people in social settings. But hanging out at a coffee shop with a dog at your side or going to a dog park will certainly help you get over any feelings of seclusion and gain confidence to meet new people in social settings. No one can resist saying hello to a happy, friendly dog and other dog owners love to talk about their dogs.
Studies on depression show that people feel better when they are able to have physical contact with others. Studies have also shown that dogs are just as good, if not better than other humans, at elevating the serotonin level in the human brain. Stroking a dog lowers the heart rate and cortisol levels, and increases feel-good endorphins.
Sleep quality is often affected by depression and, fortunately, sharing your life with a dog has been shown to improve your quality of sleep. A study at the Mayo Clinic on sleep disorders found that people who slept with their pets felt more secure, relaxed and content when their pets slept close by, which led to falling asleep faster, staying asleep longer and an overall better quality of sleep.
Having a brain that recycles old situations repeatedly is common for most people, not just those who suffer from depression. Caring for a dog brings us out of our own heads and takes us into the world of a dog - and a dog's life is wonderfully uncomplicated. It involves eating, sleeping, playing, snuggling and the occasional squirrel chase. Allowing your brain to get into a dog's brain and watch it take exquisite joy in these simple pleasures automatically simplifies your life. Suddenly past troubles don't seem as problematic.
I say bring on those January blues. With my dogs at my side, I will escape into their world and when I come out, my tail will be wagging right along with theirs!
Joan Klucha has been working with dogs for more than 15 years in obedience, tracking and behavioural rehabilitation. Contact her through her website k9kinship.com.
