What is Blue Monday and why is it 'most depressing day of the year'?

2023-01-15

What is Blue Monday and why is it the ‘most depressing day of the year’? All your questions answered on looming day of sadness next week… and why it needn’t be as bleak as you might fear

January 18 is said to be the most depressing day of the year
The term Blue Monday was coined by psychologist Dr Cliff Arnall
He worked out formula to show why January 18 is especially bad for many
Takes into account factors including weather, debt, and time since Christmas

With Christmas and New Year celebrations behind us, the cold, dark days of January can really get us down.

Tomorrow, January 18, has been dubbed by experts as the ‘most depressing day of the year’.

But where does the term come from, and what can you do to combat the blues?

MailOnline has all your questions covered.

Today is the most depressing of the year with people’s moods affected by their Christmas finances, the bad weather and the long wait for summer (file photo)

What is Blue Monday and why is it the most depressing day of the year?

The term Blue Monday was coined by psychologist Dr Cliff Arnall, who worked out a formula to show how the third Monday in January is especially bad.

It takes into account factors including the average time for New Year’s resolutions to fail, the bad weather, debt, the time since Christmas and motivational levels.

What can I do to feel better?

Dr Arnall, formerly a tutor at Cardiff University, said in 2019 that people should embrace the opportunity to turn over a new leaf.

‘Whether it’s embarking on a new career, meeting new friends, taking up a new hobby or booking a new adventure, January is a great time to make those big decisions,’ he added.

To combat feeling low in January, health experts recommend a mix of exercise, fruit and veg and vitamin D to help raise mood and staff off January Blues.

Giving up or reducing alcohol is also recommended for increasing energy levels and improving sleep.

What help is available?

The charity Samaritans is not just on hand for people who are contemplating taking their own life.

It is also there for those who are having a tough time, according to Great British Bake Off finalist and Samaritans volunteer Laura Adlington.

She said in 2020: ‘If you think someone is struggling, ask them if they’re OK. You’re not going to make them feel worse.

‘You don’t need to have all the answers. A phone call is such a small thing, but it can mean the world to someone.’

The term Blue Monday was coined by psychologist Dr Cliff Arnall, who worked out a formula to show how the third Monday in January is especially bad

Samaritans chief executive Julie Bentley said: ‘The challenges many people face during winter have been felt even more acutely this year with the pandemic restrictions.

‘At Samaritans, we know how powerful talking and listening can be, even if it is virtually.

‘It doesn’t have to be a Monday or a cup of tea, it’s about taking the time to listen and support one another. It could save a life.’

What is the science behind the January blues?

One in 15 Britons become depressed in winter and suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder.

It is believed that the problem is related to the way that the body responds to light.

The main theory suggests that a lack of sunlight may stop a part of the brain called the hypothalamus from working properly.

This could impact the production of the hormone melatonin, which makes you feel sleepy. People with SAD produce it in higher levels than normal.

The production of serotonin could also be affected, further impacting mood, appetite and sleep.

Low serotonin levels are also linked to feelings of depression.

Source: Read Full Article