Morale at half mast, after-holiday blues… Blue Monday or Lundi Bleu in French is considered the most depressing day of the year. It takes place in January. When ? Myth or a reality? How to deal with depression?
Rebelote this year, do you notice a slight drop in speed in this month of January? What if it was because of Blue Monday which takes place on Monday, January 16, 2023 ? Behind this Anglicism hides in fact the Monday considered as most depressing day of the year… Even though this has not been proven by scientific studiesit would seem that this day, and more generally this period, is conducive to the appearance of temporary signs of depression, likely to persist if solutions are not put in place. So who invented Blue Monday? Who is affected by this depression? When should you turn to a professional? What advice for better cross it ?
When is Blue Monday in 2023?
In 2023, Blue Monday takes place on Monday, January 16, i.e. the 3rd Monday of the month of January.
What is Blue Monday?
The concept of Blue Monday (or “Blue Monday” in French) considered as the most depressing day of the year, was popularized by a advertising campaign from the English television channel SkyTravel. According to the chain, this day would constitute the point of convergence of several negative parametersleading to a drop in morale or even temporary depression such as:
- a short day, with a lack of light
- the cold weather that has lasted for several weeks,
- the post-Christmas period,
- the salary that is not yet paid,
- stopping good resolutions,
- Monday which represents for some the day of the return to work…
All these parameters would be likely to alter the circadian rhythms in charge of regulating our mood. So we would feel a little more depressed, less motivated and more passive this day, even if scientificallyno study has confirmed this postulate.
What is the exact origin of Blue Monday?
The date of Blue Monday would have been calculated for the first time in 2005 in a press release reporting the words of Dr Cliff Arnall, psychologist and at that time, tutor at the Center for Lifelong Learning at the University of Cardiff (Wales) . In this document there was a formula (see below) allowing to calculate the date of the most depressing day of the year (with parameters such as the temperature outside, the time since Christmas…). The formula, has since been considered to be more anecdotal than scientific by Dr Arnall.
To calculate the most depressing day of the year, Dr. Arnall used this formula (remember that there is no scientific basis):
[W + (D – d)] x T(Q) / M x N with :
- W: the weather
- (D – d): the difference of the debts incurred during the holiday period with the ability to repay before the next payday
- T: time elapsed since Christmas
- Q: Time elapsed since New Year’s resolutions
- M: lack of motivation
- N: the need to act
► Have recourse to the light therapywhose effects are known to reduce seasonal depression, stress and sleep disorders.
► Practice regular physical activityknown to preserve mental health and relieve stress through the production of norepinephrine and dopamine.
► Have small projects like organizing a weekend, redecorating a room…
► Plan cocooning moments like watching a series under a plaid, drinking hot tea, reading a good book, taking a bath, getting facials… Especially on Sundays to start the week more serenely.
► Plan a little fun on Monday such as a good breakfast, listening to your favorite playlist, organizing a movie night, buying a bouquet of flowers, having lunch with colleagues, cooking a good dish for dinner…
► Supplement with vitamin D (one usually suffers from a vitamin D deficiency during this period), after the advice of your doctor. Zinc and Magnesium are also recommended during this period.
► Eat at least 5 fruits and vegetables a day to benefit from all their benefits and their vitamins, essential to fight against winter depression.
Source : Cardiff University Center for Lifelong Learning