Blue Monday

Categories:: Health
Tags:: Awareness Mental Health
Where:: World
Date change rule:: 3rd Monday of January
Holiday emoji:: 😔

Blue Monday arrives every year on the third Monday in January, widely (and controversially) labeled the year’s most depressing day. Take this opportunity to reflect on mental well-being, challenge negative thoughts, and seek out small joys. Remember to reach out to friends, family, or professional resources if you’re struggling.

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Expected Blue Monday Deals

Blue Monday, despite its somber theme, often sees brands and organizations promoting mental wellness initiatives rather than traditional deals. Expect to find resources from groups like Mental Health America and the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), offering free tools, support hotlines, and educational content. Some wellness apps such as Calm and Headspace may offer discounted subscriptions or free trial extensions to encourage self-care. Retailers might focus on comfort-themed products like weighted blankets or aromatherapy, often with a portion of sales benefiting mental health charities. We will update this page with confirmed live support programs and initiatives as January approaches.

Platform Guide for Blue Monday

Tag National Today (linkedin.com/company/nationaltoday) and use #BlueMonday. Share workplace wellness tips or resources for managing stress during winter months.

X/Twitter

Mention @NatlToday and use #BlueMonday. Join conversations about mental health awareness and share positive coping strategies or debunk the ‘saddest day’ myth.

Facebook

Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #BlueMonday. Post community-focused content, encouraging local support groups or sharing uplifting stories.

Blue Monday Hero

Cliff Arnall

Cliff Arnall is a British psychologist and former tutor at Cardiff University who is credited with coining the term 'Blue Monday' in 2005. He developed a pseudoscientific formula to determine the most depressing day of the year, initially as part of a PR campaign for a travel company. While the formula has been widely debunked, his concept has persisted in popular culture as a day to focus on mental well-being.

History of Blue Monday

The Blue Monday concept surfaced in 2005 during a press release from British travel company, Sky Travel, during a PR stunt. Citing psychologist Dr. Cliff Arnall, a formula pointing to the third Monday in January described the day as being the gloomiest of the year. Apparently, this equation manages to calculate the most depressing day of the year precisely.

Arnall’s formula considers many factors, including the weather at this time of year, people’s probable level of debt, time after Christmas and new year’s resolutions, generally lower motivation levels and feeling a need to take action.

Since the release of this concept, debates are on-going. This theory may make sense in opinion, but in reality, some experts consider this pseudoscience. The science behind the formula is frequently questioned and highly scrutinized for possibly trivializing depression. One of Arnall’s university colleagues, Dr Dean Burnett commented, “There is no such thing as a 24-hour depression”.

There is a condition known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), which is a form of depression that may manifest in certain seasons. However, according to Dr Burnett’s point, the condition doesn’t last just one day. Symptoms of SAD can include irritability, persistent low mood and feelings of worthlessness. It may affect up to 3% of people in the US, as many as 10 million Americans.

Despite the debate, it didn’t take much for companies to embrace the idea of Blue Monday and use it to sell products that can improve a gloomy outlook, eventually perpetuating the use of the term Blue Monday.

Arnall since apologized for misleading anyone about the third Monday of January and its depressive capacity, renewing a campaign emphasizing the essential message of maintaining good mental health and taking the necessary actions to ensure this.

Blue Monday timeline

1956

Blue Monday

The song, originally written by Dave Bartholomew, is popularized in a recording by Fats Domino.

1966

Monday Monday

The Grammy-winning song by the Mamas and the Papas hit #1 on the Billboard charts.

1986

Manic Monday

The Bangles’ hit song shares everyone’s opinion, “I wish it was Sunday”.

January 24, 2005

Blue Monday

So now we know exactly which day of the year we are, apparently, most depressed.

November 28, 2005

Cyber Monday

Ellen Davis and Scott Silverman name the online shopping Monday after Thanksgiving, Cyber Monday.

How Businesses Can Celebrate Blue Monday

Local businesses can acknowledge Blue Monday by fostering a supportive environment and promoting mental well-being. Cafes could offer a ‘mood-boosting’ special, while wellness studios might host free meditation sessions or workshops on stress reduction. Employers can use the day to remind staff of available mental health resources, encourage short breaks, or organize a team-building activity that promotes connection and positivity. The key is to genuinely support well-being, rather than simply commercializing the concept.

Blue Monday FAQs

When is Blue Monday?

In 2027, Blue Monday will be observed on Monday, January 18. This day serves as a popular, though unscientific, reminder to prioritize mental health and combat winter blues.

Why is Blue Monday considered the saddest day of the year?

The concept of Blue Monday gained traction due to its relatable factors like dark winter days and financial strain after the holidays. Despite its commercial origins, it has become a widely recognized cultural marker for addressing seasonal dips in mood.

How many people experience seasonal depression?

While Blue Monday itself isn’t a medical diagnosis, it highlights the broader issue of seasonal mood changes. An estimated 10-20% of people in temperate climates experience mild winter blues, making the themes of Blue Monday widely resonant.

Is Blue Monday a real scientific phenomenon?

Despite its lack of scientific basis, Blue Monday has entered popular culture as a day to acknowledge and discuss mental well-being challenges that many people face during the winter months. It’s more of a cultural touchstone than a clinical reality.

Ways to Avoid the Monday Blues

Focus on Dr Martin Luther King, Jr.
Our national holiday to honor Dr Martin Luther King, Jr. also falls on the third Monday of January. The inspirational leader gives us a more positive focus for the day by remembering his famous quotes.
Plan your next vacation
Studies have shown time and again that having something to look forward to creates a hopeful spirit. Plans for the future can also serve as perfect talking points for enhancing social relationships since as humans, we spend a lot of our mental lives living in the future. The dead of winter seems the perfect time to plan your next vacation, so why not start planning on the third Monday in January?
Turn that frown upside down
Be intentional about making Blue Monday a fantastic day! Host an “anti-Blue Monday” party for friends and serve a signature blue drink of the night such as Blue Hawaiian, Blue Lagoon or the Blue Monday which is made with 1.5 oz. vodka, ¾ oz. curacao, ½ oz. triple sec, ½ oz. vermouth and 2 dashes of orange bitters!

5 Resolutions To Beat Blue Monday

Get healthy
Happiness and health is frequently anecdotally linked and “laughter is the best medicine” is a cliche for a reason.
Be money-wise
Money is never far from our thoughts and saving more or spending less of it comes in as the second most common type of resolution.
Learn something new
There’s evidence that fun diversions contribute to good mental health, with studies showing people who engage in hobbies enjoy better moods and less stress.
Quit a bad habit
Since Blue Monday falls just after the new year, there’s no better time to kick a bad habit.
Focus on quality time
Activities such as reading, planning out goals, journaling and spending more time with friends and family often creates a sense of peace and happiness.

Why Blue Monday is Important

Checking in on mental health
The day is a good reminder to check in on your mental health if experiencing symptoms of depression. Reach out to medical professionals who can assess the situation and find the right treatments. Blue Monday should not play down the seriousness of depression, because 1 in 6 people will experience the condition during their lifetimes.
A reminder to exercise
We all know exercise improves our mood. Don’t let the winter blues and cold weather prevent an ongoing exercise routine. For many people, sticking to an exercise plan is easier when an encouraging partner is around to boost motivation and commit to staying on track.
Enhancing vitamin D levels
Vitamin D levels can drastically decline during winter months due to spending less time in the sun, which can seriously affect our moods. Consider getting a medical check-up or blood test. Luckily, vitamin D supplements tend to be as beneficial for us as the sun, as well as nutrient-rich foods such as egg yolks and fatty fish.