January is often associated with fresh starts and new beginnings, yet for many people across East Yorkshire, it can feel like one of the hardest months of the year. The third Monday in January, commonly referred to as Blue Monday, has become shorthand for the emotional dip many experience during mid-winter.
Although Blue Monday is not based on scientific evidence, the feelings it represents are very real. Shorter daylight hours, colder weather, post-Christmas financial pressures, disrupted routines, and unresolved grief or emotional stress can all combine to leave people feeling low, anxious, or overwhelmed.
Why January Can Be Emotionally Challenging
For individuals and families in East Yorkshire, particularly those living in rural areas, winter can intensify emotional difficulties. Reduced daylight, fewer social opportunities, and increased isolation can all impact mental wellbeing.
January can be especially difficult if you are:
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Living with grief or loss, recent or long-standing
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Experiencing anxiety, low mood, or emotional exhaustion
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Navigating mid-life changes, identity shifts, or increased responsibilities
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Feeling pressure to “feel positive” when emotionally you are struggling
These responses are not a sign of weakness. They are often a natural reaction to cumulative emotional and environmental stress.
Counselling and Hypnotherapy: Gentle Support When You Need It Most
At Evolve Talking Therapies, based in East Yorkshire, counselling and hypnotherapy are offered as supportive, client-centred approaches to help individuals make sense of what they are feeling and move forward at their own pace.
Counselling provides a confidential, non-judgemental space to explore emotions, thoughts, and experiences safely. Hypnotherapy can support emotional regulation, reduce anxiety, improve sleep, and help break unhelpful patterns that may be keeping you feeling stuck.
Many people seek support for:
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Anxiety and emotional overwhelm
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Grief and bereavement
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Stress, burnout, and low confidence
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Life transitions, including mid-life challenges
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Sleep difficulties and persistent worry
Support can be accessed whether you are experiencing a specific difficulty or simply feeling that something is “not quite right”.
Local Support Matters in East Yorkshire
Choosing a local counselling or hypnotherapy service in East Yorkshire means working with someone who understands the pressures of rural living, community dynamics, and the realities of life in this region. Evolve Talking Therapies supports clients from Driffield, Beverley, Bridlington, Hull, and surrounding villages across the East Riding.
Sessions are offered in a calm, confidential setting, with an emphasis on compassion, safety, and trust.
Book a Free Half-Hour Discovery Call
Taking the first step can feel daunting, especially when you are already feeling low. That’s why Evolve Talking Therapies offers a free half-hour discovery call.
This call gives you the opportunity to:
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Talk briefly about what’s been going on for you
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Ask questions about counselling or hypnotherapy
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Explore whether the approach feels right for you
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Decide your next steps with no pressure or obligation
Blue Monday — and January as a whole — can be a reminder that support is available, and you don’t have to navigate difficult feelings alone.
If you’re looking for counselling or hypnotherapy in East Yorkshire, and would like a gentle, supportive starting point, a free discovery call may be the right first step.
Warmly, Sue