After The Year 2020 Is Blue Monday The Worst Day Of The Year?

When is Blue Monday?

In 2021 the date of Blue Monday is Monday 18 January.

The third Monday in January has been given the title of 'Blue Monday'. This is because Christmas and New Year are over, the weather is cold, nights are dark, resolutions broken and unpaid credit card bills start to arrive, so making it the most depressing day of the year.

Since 2020 has been the worst year for us all and now with the third lockdown let us be positive as we journey into 2021.

Why Blue Monday?

This was apparently started as a PR stunt in 2005 by holiday company Sky Travel in order to sell more travel packages. They claimed to have calculated the date by using an equation.

Dr Arnall has now admitted how it ‘was never his intention’ for the day to become so gloomy. But despite this Blue Monday seems to have remained a firm fixture in the calendar.

The formula is: [W + (D-d)] x TQ/M x Na



Positive Monday!

So as Blue Monday approaches let us make it a positive Monday instead, as there is no scientific evidence to suggest that it is any more or less depressing than any other day.

Why not plan ahead and make it a happy day.

Even though the country is in lockdown the vaccines are here and there will be light at the end of the tunnel.

The Samaritans always turn Blue Monday into #BrewMonday by encouraging people to get together for a cuppa, a chat and raise funds for the charity.

Top tips for Blue Monday

Let us find ways to improve our mental health this Blue Monday.

Exercise

The thought of the gym fills most of us with dread, but just thirty minutes of exercise can induce a surge in endorphins (also known as the happy hormone) and go a long way to lift mood.

It doesn’t have to be in the gym (as they are now all closed due to lockdown) but go for a brisk walk, walk the dog, go for a cycle ride or take up an activity which you enjoy and then you'll stick to it.

Exercise has to be enjoyable not a chore.

New Year’s resolutions

Even if the New Year's Resolutions have failed and most do after a couple of weeks, we can still make January a time of fresh starts and positive thinking. Look at why the resolution has failed and learn from it.

We can all be a 'glass half-full' type of person instead of the negative 'glass half-empty' one.

Volunteering

Research has shown that doing small things for other people impacts on people's happiness and causes positive effects. It can even improve your mental health.

The nights will soon be getting lighter and the thought of spring and then summer are just around the corner.

More holidays are booked during the month of January than any other time, even if we’re booking staycations in the UK or for later on in 2021.

So let us all think and be positive on this #BlueMonday and as Captain Tom says: “Tomorrow will be a good day”.