It’s almost Blue Monday, the day considered the most depressing and sad of the year. Myth or reality?
Every year, it’s the same thing! Have you noticed a slight drop in performance this month of January? What if it was because of Blue Monday? Behind this anglicism hides in fact Monday considered as the most depressing day of the year… Even if 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 depressionlikely to persist if solutions are not put in place. SO who invented Blue Monday? Who is affected by this depression?
When is Blue Monday in 2026?
Blue Monday takes place on 3rd Monday of the month of January, i.e. Monday January 19, 2026.
What is Blue Monday?
The concept of Blue Monday (or “Blue Monday” in French) considered to be the most depressing day of the year, was popularized by a advertising campaign from the English television channel Sky Travel. According to the channel, this day would constitute the convergence point 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 which has lasted for several weeks,
- the post-Christmas holiday period,
- the salary which has not yet been paid,
- stopping good resolutions,
- Monday which for some represents the day they return to work…
All these parameters would be likely to modify the circadian rhythms responsible for 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 Cardiff University (Wales). In this document there was a formula (see below) allowing you to calculate the date of the most depressing day of the year (with parameters such as the temperature outside, the time since Christmas, etc.). 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 in debts contracted during the holiday period with the ability to repay before the next payday
- T: the time since Christmas
- Q: How long has it been since New Year’s resolutions?
- M: lack of motivation
- N: the need to act
► Use light therapywhose effects are known to reduce seasonal depression, stress and even 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 blanket, drinking hot tea, reading a good book, taking a bath, getting facials… Particularly on Sundays to start the week more peacefully.
► Plan a little treat for Monday such as a good breakfast, listening to your favorite playlist, organizing a cinema session in the evening, buying a bouquet of flowers, having lunch with colleagues, cooking a good dish for dinner…
► Supplement with vitamin D (we generally suffer from a vitamin D deficiency during this period), after consulting your doctor. Zinc and magnesium are also recommended during this period.
► Eat at least 5 fruits and vegetables per day to benefit from all their benefits and vitamins, essential to fight against winter blues.
Source : Center for Lifelong Learning at Cardiff University
