Blue Monday

Several sun-inspired billboards have appeared across Birmingham to lift spirits on the most depressing day of the year, Blue Monday.

Why not take a detour to one of these sunlight-inspired billboards on this blue day? Landing on this rough date as the bluest day of the year. While similar billboards have also appeared in commuter areas in London and Manchester. Blue Monday is notoriously said to be the most depressing day of the year. On this day only, several S.A.D. The date, usually falling on the third Monday of January, actually comes from an equation published by the UK travel company, Sky Travel, in 2005.

January is often a quieter month, but the M&S Bank Arena is starting 2023 with a bang thanks to some unmissable gigs. On January 19, Scottish superstar Lewis ...

[The Cher Show](https://go.skimresources.com?id=76202X1528716&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.atgtickets.com%2Fshows%2Fthe-cher-show%2Fliverpool-empire%2F&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.liverpoolecho.co.uk%2Fwhats-on%2Fwhats-on-news%2Ffive-things-you-excited-blue-25971302) will be coming to the Liverpool Empire from Tuesday, January 17 to Saturday, January 21. On January 31 we'll be following the action as Liverpool is handed the ['keys to Eurovision'](https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/eurovision-2023-semi-final-allocation-25937529) in a ceremony hosted by Rylan and AJ Odudu. [Bugsy Malone](https://go.skimresources.com?id=76202X1528716&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.atgtickets.com%2Fshows%2Fbugsy-malone%2Fliverpool-empire%2Fcalendar%2F2023-02-06&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.liverpoolecho.co.uk%2Fwhats-on%2Fwhats-on-news%2Ffive-things-you-excited-blue-25971302) will be at the Empire from Monday, February 6 to Saturday, February 11. The new show, called Disney On Ice presents Discover the Magic, will be visiting Liverpool's M&S Bank Arena from Thursday, March 16 to Sunday, March 19. The show will feature innovative technology, and aims to offer enchanting stories and exhilarating musical numbers. 2023 is going to be an unforgettable year for Liverpool, as the city prepares to host the Eurovision Song Contest. Meanwhile, on January 26, The 1975 will be bringing their At Their Very Best tour to Liverpool. [here](https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=7677&awinaffid=213635&campaign=&clickref=Regionals-LiverpoolEcho--25971302-&clickref2=&clickref3=&clickref4=&clickref5=&clickref6=&ued=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thejockeyclub.co.uk%2Faintree%2Fevents-tickets%2Fgrand-national%2F&pl=la), with prices from £32. Taking place from Thursday, April 13 to Saturday, April 15, the three-day is undoubtedly one to look forward to. On January 19, Scottish superstar Lewis Capaldi will be taking to the stage, entertaining a sell-out crowd. Many people have disputed the legitimacy of Blue Monday, but for some, January can be a difficult time of year. This is due to several factors including the weather, dark nights, post-Christmas debt and the pressure of failed New Year's resolutions.

Union (GCU) is predicting debt consolidation and loans to pay off car payments will be among the key priorities. With more than 60,000 members, the Union has ...

With a combination of Covid and a demand for new cars and new car inflation, it has changed the market place and manufacturers aren’t incentivising as much as they were” – that is those who have joined within the last two years – are aged between 16 to 34, a rise within this age bracket on previous years. That is why they are missing out the chance of a property. There are two opportunities for us to grow as a s business with new members. He added: “We offer 95 per cent mortgages, which are difficult to come by without a large premium elsewhere, but that is not what we are about. [markets](/business_hq/markets_economy/) the way banks do, we get money from our savers, which we then lend back out.

Here are seven budget-friendly ways from NetVoucherCodes.co.uk to boost your mood this January... Keep the diary filled. Being social and sticking to plans can ...

Creating a new playlist can keep you busy and you get the joy of rediscovering some of your favourite tunes. You don’t need to pay for a gym membership as a home workout or a jog in the park can be equally rewarding. Painting, gardening, cooking - the possibilities are endless and can be done on a budget. There are plenty of free tutorials online so you can easily get started in the comfort of your own home. It’s also recommended as a useful tool to aid symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder. Resolutions are starting to wear off, leaving us feeling disheartened, while festive spending is also catching up with us - compounded by the cost of living crisis and rising energy bills. A monthly subscription to streaming services costs less than a tenner, but it works out cheaper than buying tracks individually. But the phrase Blue Monday was actually coined in 2005 by UK travel company Sky Travel. [Best free things to do in Manchester in 2023](https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/best-free-things-manchester-2023-25950119.amp) [The prettiest villages near Greater Manchester to visit in 2023](https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/prettiest-villages-near-greater-manchester-25944280.amp) [Where to get the most affordable Sunday roasts in Greater Manchester](https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/whats-on/food-drink-news/most-affordable-sunday-roasts-greater-25022387.amp) [Mum sets new Guinness World Record for fastest 10k run while pushing a pram](https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/mum-sets-new-guinness-world-25962142.amp) [The best things to see and do in Manchester in 2023](https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/best-things-see-manchester-2023-25848323.amp) You don’t have to get sweaty and work out every single day, but exercise can help to boost your mood and it's known to aid the symptoms of depression. Hobbies are important to follow through as they keep your mind occupied and perfecting a new skill can instantly boost your happiness. A walkout in nature helps to decrease stress and take your mind off the realities in life - paired with some great music, you can escape to your own inner world.

What if we could boil happiness down to an equation? End sadness with a tidy mathematical theorem?

I spoke to my doctor and to my family and friends. I’ll stick the kettle on, have a coffee and thank the people who took care of me when I truly needed it most. [Scotland](/topic/scotland), hundreds of people die by suicide every year. I retreated from the people around me and was struggling to keep my head above water. That was the nice idea when psychologist We’ve been to the moon and back.

Every fan of the film The Devil Wears Prada will know about the shade 'cerulean' · Jo Elvin says she felt influenced to choose the shade as a blue trend is ' ...

My nails are my first sign that the cerulean prophecy is happening. Or you could always calm it by wearing it as a print— see how we've styled this versatile Whistles skirt (£99, far left) and M&S dress (far right, £69), for example. A touch of cerulean via a bag, a shoe or nails will give your denims, crisp whites and even neutral taupes a very current twist. Out of more than 50 colours to choose from, this was the one that suddenly grabbed me. 'Not turquoise, not lapis,' says the icy editor Miranda Priestly in a devastating put-down delivered to her cocky PA, Andy. LEFT: Jumper, £221.25, and trousers, £71.25, chintiand parker.com; jumper over shoulders, £119, whistles.com; trainers, £80, Adidas at schuh.com; hat, £29, hush-uk.com.

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 ...

It could save a life.' 'You don't need to have all the answers. and why it needn't be as bleak as you might fear 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 What is Blue Monday and why is it the most depressing day of the year? What is Blue Monday and why is it the 'most depressing day of the year'?

Passers-by will reportedly be able to get a boost of serotonin from the screens.

“Some people with SAD find that light therapy can help improve their mood considerably,” says the NHS, which says users sit near a light box for 30 minutes to an hour every morning. This depression usually takes place at the same time every year, and to try and combat it, often people with SAD use specially designed lamps, which emit a high enough level of light to simulate sunlight. The billboards will not only look like giant SAD lamps, but they will work like them too, as the light they are emitting is reportedly at a level that can actually help to boost serotonin (a natural chemical in humans that helps to improve mood). SAD stands for seasonal affective disorder, a type of depression which correlates with the seasons (the large proportion of people with SAD become depressed in winter, but not all). [Saatchi](/topic/saatchi) & Saatchi and supplement brand Solgar have joined forces for a one-day campaign to blast those blues away with a “fleet” of “sunlight-inspired light emitting billboards” that will be rolled out across Birmingham, Manchester and [London](https://www.standard.co.uk/homesandproperty/renting/london-postcodes-rents-up-a-third-in-12-months-spareroom-b1052656.html). Saatchi & Saatchi and Solgar roll out giant light emitting billboards across the UK for Blue Monday

The poll of 2,000 people for employee wellbeing and performance company GoodShape found more than half (55%) of workers felt worried to call in sick with mental ...

By being more proactive about understanding employee wellbeing, and removing barriers so employees can be open about their health challenges, leaders can make targeted changes for measurable improvement down the line. It makes sense, not only for the health of our employees but our businesses too,” he added. This compared with less than a third (30%) who said they had the same reluctance about reporting a physical illness. Next was media and marketing, where 44% of workers admitted to being affected. Women were more worried than men to report mental ill health-related absence (60% of women versus 50% of men), and younger employees also more worried (67% of under-35s versus 46% of over-55s). The legal sector had the highest proportion of employees worried to report mental health-related absence from work (69%), followed by education (64%), and transportation and distribution (58%).

Helen Moon, chief executive, EventWell, busts the myth of 'Blue Monday'. She encourages eventprofs to take care of their mental health everyday.

Do something that is all about you and that you are likely to want to repeat. It doesn’t need to be a holiday, bearing in mind there are many that cannot afford this right now, maybe a weekend staying with family and friends, a self care day, a lunch date, catch up over tea or coffee. Why not take today to do something new for your wellbeing that you can do all year round.

January is such a tough month in so many ways: you probably got paid before Christmas, meaning that your bank balance isn't looking too healthy right.

[Get more details on this job here](https://jobs.cityam.com/job/business-developer-london-at-ebury-2?source=article). [Business Developer](https://jobs.cityam.com/job/business-developer-london-at-ebury-2?source=article), you will be a crucial contributor to Ebury’s growth, responsible for researching and qualifying potential clients to build a database of leads and working closely with the team to build and present valuable FX solutions to clients. [Get all the details on this job here](https://jobs.cityam.com/job/software-engineer-london-at-travelperk-2?source=article). As a You will work on a day-to-day basis with the product team to design, architect and implement product development in Python/Django and/or React. [Software Engineer](https://jobs.cityam.com/job/software-engineer-london-at-travelperk-2?source=article) with extensive programming experience.

The rippling golden billboards will appear in Corporation Street, High Street, Ladywell Walk, New Street and Smallbrook Queensway on Blue Monday.

Billboards will be placed in Corporation Street, High Street, Ladywell Walk, New Street and Smallbrook Queensway. However, a fleet of new light emitting billboards will pop up as darkness falls on Blue Monday. The rippling golden billboards will invite passers-by to enjoy a moment of "sunshine" by standing in front of the light between 4pm and 8pm.

Adrian Matthews, Head of Employee Benefits MetLife UK says: “Blue Monday coupled with an outlook of economic uncertainty serves as a timely reminder for.

Creating a fun, non-work-related event for January can help to bring excitement back into the office. With the growth of hybrid working, ensure you have a mix of communication channels to disseminate your messages. · Communicate benefits clearly – Once you are clear on all the support available to your employees, create a simple calendar of activity for the year ahead to drip feed the information through. With the current economic climate continuing to be a changing picture, businesses have a real opportunity to step up to support employees with their physical, emotional and financial wellbeing. Providers often enhance or add new services to their offering, so the new year is a good time to check in with them. Many employees will feel refreshed after the festive break, and with clear goals to achieve both personally and professionally it’s a great foundation for employers to build on.

Mental health charities have also emphasised that low mood is not the same as a medical diagnosis of depression (or any other mental illness), which can occur ...

The central aspect of the “Brew Monday” campaign is to encourage people to check in with others and not only ask how they are, but to listen to the answer. It is widely acknowledged that the best way to reduce this stigma is to talk about mental illness. Importantly, the campaign makes clear that this is not something that should be done only on so-called “Blue Monday”, but throughout the year, recognising that people can struggle with their mental health at any time. An extension of its [“Small Talk Saves Lives”](https://www.samaritans.org/support-us/campaign/small-talk-saves-lives/) suicide prevention scheme, “Brew Monday” encourages people to connect with friends, family and colleagues over a hot beverage. The phrase “Blue Monday” was first coined in 2005 by a UK travel company, presumably as part of a marketing campaign to encourage sales of holidays. The concept of “Blue Monday” will be familiar to a lot of people.

Experts share their thoughts — and a warning — on the concept that the third Monday in January is the worst for people's mental health.

Dealing with ups and downs is a part of life, both experts stressed. These symptoms are in addition to the common depression symptoms, such as feeling stressed or anxious, low self-esteem and indecisiveness. According to Keith, the idea of Blue Monday resonates with people because it’s validating. The NHS has some recommended ways to treat “We want to explain it away — we want it to be tied to a moment in time that will pass instead of thinking this could go on for some time and we don’t know the source of it and we don’t know when it will end,” she said, adding that the deeper reasons for mental health struggles are much harder to come to terms with than just one sad day. Blue Monday is “not something that I think is a common concept in the mental health field, and I think one of the reasons is that there is not a lot of empirical-based research that focuses on that concept,” said Additionally, tying our emotions to a specific day takes some of the pressure off of our mental health, though that is not a good thing, Laing said. When you do that hard check, the answer is likely going to be no, which is going to make you feel pretty bad and could make you believe you’re dealing with a Blue Monday situation, she noted. People want to feel better this time of year, which is why they set New Year’s resolutions or are quick to book a relaxing vacation, but that doesn’t get to the root of the problem, Laing noted. They may know about Blue Monday and think it signals a time to take stock of whether goals have been met, resolutions are being followed and the post-holiday mood is in check, Lang said. [seasonal affective disorder](https://www.huffpost.com/entry/what-its-like-seasonal-depression_l_63851693e4b09a86b1b622a8) ― a very real mood disorder that impacts millions of people mainly in the winter ― “the thought in our field is that mental health problems and struggles are pretty consistent and spiking right now in our country over time.” Though the formula sounds fairly reasonable and January is definitely a bummer of a month, experts are wary about the legitimacy of Blue Monday and say there isn’t any data that backs up this claim.

Rumor has it that the most depressing day of the year, known as Blue Monday, occurs on the third Monday in January. Is the world actually experiencing ...

He went as far as to claim to be part of an "activist group" called [Stop Blue Monday](https://web.archive.org/web/20191229135055/https://twitter.com/CliffArnall). Symptoms of SAD include persistent daily depression, irritability, fatigue, loss of appetite, and suicidal ideation, among other things, per the [National Institute of Mental Health](https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/seasonal-affective-disorder). "So rather than dial in to one specific day, I think the more interesting question is what it is about the winter that affects our mood." Burnett also considered the trend "disrespectful to those who suffer from genuine depression, suggesting that it is temporary, minor, and experienced by everyone, rather than what may be a chronic and incapacitating condition." "For example, there's no way to measure the average number of days since people slipped up on their New Year's resolution. According to the formula, this will be the day when people are most likely to be depressed due to the bleak winter weather, post-holiday season blues, and guilt over abandoning New Year's resolutions. Rumor has it that the most depressing day of the year, known as Blue Monday, occurs on the third Monday in January. That will make the supposed most depressing day of 2023 None of the variables he included in his formula can be measured against each other using the same units. 24, 2005, encouraging people to hop on their winter travel deals to beat the blues, and the concept took on a life of its own. Hence, he set out to calculate the most depressing day of the year. travel company Sky Travel hired Arnall to help figure out when people are most likely to book vacations.

The January blues are said to hit extra hard today - but why exactly is this?

It's also a good opportunity to check in on your mental health and try to do this year-round, rather than assuming you'll feel glum when the dreaded day hits. Not to mention being back at work and the added pressure of our New Year's resolutions that we may be feeling guilty about breaking already. 1 in 6 people will experience depression during their life.

January is a hard time of year for most people. It's a return to work after all the festivities, where many people may find themselves in debt after.

[[iii]](#_edn3) revealed that nearly a fifth of the UK workforce plan to look for new jobs in 2023 with higher salaries or better employee benefits to help combat the cost-of-living crisis. [here](https://www.activpeoplehr.co.uk/). [[iv]](#_edn4) found that 61% of employees would consider leaving an organisation if they didn’t have frequent feedback. Giving feedback and showing someone how they can progress in their career can also improve retention. January is a hard time of year for most people. Companies keen to check in on the wellbeing of their staff this January and provide some positive feedback and encouragement to kick off the New Year should make appraisals a priority.

So-called Blue Monday may be here, but Oxford Samaritans believes there's no such thing as the saddest day of the year. The suicide prevention charity is ...

[@OxMailMattN1](https://twitter.com/OxMailMattN1) [www.samaritans.org/support-us/campaign/brew-monday/](http://www.samaritans.org/support-us/campaign/brew-monday/). [Matthew Norman](https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/author/profile/297560.Matthew_Norman/), he joined the team in 2022 as a Facebook community reporter. [Read more from this author](https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/author/profile/297560.Matthew_Norman/) [Bicester](/news/yourtown/bicester/) and focuses on finding stories from diverse communities. [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]), or visit [www.samaritans.org](http://www.samaritans.org). [Oxford](/news/yourtown/oxford/) Samaritans believes there’s no such thing as the saddest day of the year. [Man arrested after £20,000 worth of musical equipment seized](https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/23247670.man-arrested-20-000-worth-musical-equipment-seized/) “Our volunteers are available around the clock to listen to anyone who needs support this Brew Monday and every other day of the month and year, 24/7. Bin off Blue Monday and celebrate ✨— Samaritans (@samaritans) The third Monday of every January is known as Blue Monday. The suicide prevention charity is keen to dispel the idea that the third Monday of January is particularly difficult, as its listening volunteers are consistently busy every day of the year, responding to a call for help every 10 seconds.

The third Monday in January – due to the impact of bills from Christmas spending, cold weather and loneliness, as well as cost of living – is said to be the ...

“Many organisations and groups offer this support all year round, but the tightening grip the cost of living has on so many of our citizens mean these places are needed more than ever. [at the interactive map on their website](https://www.greatgettogether.org/map) - [https://www.greatgettogether.org/map](https://www.greatgettogether.org/map) [Details of all the Warm Welcome spaces across the city ](https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/directory/73/warm_welcome_spaces_in_birmingham)can be found on the council’s website – as can [details of how organisations can register their space as a Warm W](https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/info/50274/cost_of_living_support/2637/birmingham_warm_welcome_spaces/2)elcome: visit [www.birmingham.gov.uk/livingsupport](http://www.birmingham.gov.uk/livingsupport) [the Great Winter Get Together, to provide places for connection for people of all ages, in a bid to tackle loneliness.](https://www.greatgettogether.org/winter) Throughout January community groups and organisations will be joining forces to provide a range of activities to encourage people young and old to make new connections doing something they enjoy be it exercise, art, walking or just having a chat. [Birmingham’s Warm Welcomes network of community spaces](https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/info/50274/cost_of_living_support/2637/birmingham_warm_welcome_spaces/2), ranging from libraries and leisure centres to faith settings and neighbourhood centres, shows there are many places for people to be not just on ‘Blue Monday’ but all year round.

New year resolutions are starting to wear thin, making everyone feel disheartened and uninspired. The weather is cold and dreary and for many people, ...

WHY IS IT BELIEVED TO BE THE SADDEST DAY OF THE YEAR? BLUE Monday is thought to be one of the most depressing day of the year. Blue Monday 2023: Is today Blue Monday, what is it and why is it the saddest day of the year

This so-called 'awareness day' could actually be doing more harm than good. Here, Stylist's Lauren Geall argues why it's time to shake off the concept of ...

In this way, you will set up a positive chain reaction and find your mood lifting.” Even Cliff Arnall himself has since said [the Blue Monday concept is “meaningless”](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/7006564/Ignore-most-depressing-day-of-year-says-Blue-Monday-psychologist.html) and that we should all “refute” it. There are also things you can do to help yourself if you’ve just been feeling a bit rubbish. Try to carve out at least 10 minutes to do something that brings you joy each day.” The problem, however, isn’t simply that Blue Monday isn’t real – it’s that it could be making things worse. “This is due in part to confirmation bias, where we search for evidence to support a belief. In a crisis, call 999. The science behind this claim was, as you might expect, questionable. “There is a vast body of evidence about the mental health benefits of getting moving and of getting outdoors (whatever the weather),” Oliver explains. Conversations about mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression may be changing, but there’s still a lot of work to be done to tackle stereotypes and support those who are struggling – and ditching the myth of Blue Monday should be on that to-do list. Combined with the damage that Blue Monday does when it comes to the public perception of depression – and that, “While there is not a shred of scientific evidence to support the concept of Blue Monday, the longer the myth exists and persists in popular culture, the more it feels true,” explains chartered psychologist

THIS IS one of the bleakest weeks of the year with dark mornings and even, darker evenings and with the cost-of-living crisis, it can feel like a…

Our region offers a whole host of delights, and this is an excellent chance to get on the bus and enjoy them at very little cost.” Nikki added: “The cap remains in place until 31 March 2023 - by which time, we should all be experiencing the first delights of spring. What some people don’t realise, is that the cap applies to longer journeys - which would give them the ideal opportunity to cheer themselves up and spend the day visiting surrounding areas.

Employee mental wellbeing should always be a business priority, but with this notorious date looming, it's advisable to check in with your employees now. Take ...

So named due to the wet and grey weather, personal guilt over the Christmas binge, and post-Christmas finances. [blog,](https://www.sodexoengage.com/blog/boost-mental-resilience) we take a look at: the importance of nurturing mental resilience, measuring mental health, assessing the cause of poor mental health, and embedding a culture of health and support with Sodexo Engage. Take crucial steps to assess their mental health, identify concerns and provide support.

Worked out by psychologist Dr Cliff Arnall with an equation, the day was reportedly created to find the bleakest day to help a travel company sell holidays. The ...

“Cold Monday, I agree, but blue? I don’t think so. I think socialising would help mental health. [Westhoughton](/news/westhoughton/), said: “I think it is a thing, especially when it’s as cold as it is today. On being asked about mental health in the UK, he said: “Well I think more information would be ideal, there’s not a lot of information about.” On being asked whether she thought the UK could do more to improve its mental health, Rima, who is from Algeria, said: “I feel that it’s the nature of UK people to not be so social.

Blue Monday may be traditionally known as the most depressing day of the year, employers have an opportunity to change this.

Creating a fun, non-work-related event for January can help to bring excitement back into the office. Also, consider that in most instances, employees will need to access information outside of working hours, so an app or hard copies can be helpful as a point of reference Your group benefits package will provide a host of services to support employees (and their families) at their time of need, however big or small. Contact your Group Risk provider to ensure you are maximising all the help that is available. The research also found that almost a third (30%) have no one to turn to for advice if they had money worries. Many employees will feel refreshed after the festive break, and with clear goals to achieve both personally and professionally it’s a great foundation for employers to build on.

The new piece of merchandise is the work of Factory Records graphic designer Peter Saville and based upon the design for the band's legendary 1983 track. It ...

“Originally, we didn’t think he had a mental health problem – we thought he had a problem with epilepsy,” said Sumner, describing the frontman as a “regular” and “happy-go-lucky guy”. Sumner went on to explain how attitudes towards depression and breaking down the stigma that surrounds mental health have come a long way since Curtis’ death. “It’s as serious as hell and should be taken seriously.” Of the link-up with New Order, CALM CEO Simon Gunning said: “’Blue Monday’ has been on repeat since 1983 for a generation of music lovers. During the discussion, Sumner recalled Curtis’ final years and how hard it can be to spot the signs of depression. Whether you’re having a Blue Monday, Tuesday or Thursday, we want people to know that CALM is there for you every day if you’re struggling.”

“Sky Travel asked me what I thought was the best day to book a summer holiday. That question got legs as I considered the motives for why people wanted to book ...

“Depression doesn’t just exist on Blue Monday – people’s spirits won’t lift automatically with time like the concept seems to suggest. “Depression is not just a one day event, it can happen at any time of year. But it is crucial the conversation continues. “However, low mood is not the same as depression. “I had no idea the formula was going to take off like it has,” Arnall said. That question got legs as I considered the motives for why people wanted to book such a holiday. “Sky Travel asked me what I thought was the best day to book a summer holiday. [ controversial calculation](https://inews.co.uk/inews-lifestyle/people/banishing-blue-monday-myth-41063?ico=in-line_link): the [Blue Monday formula](https://inews.co.uk/news/health/blue-monday-myth-marketing-ploy-explained-outlook-psychology-387273?ico=in-line_link), which [claims to calculate the most depressing day of the year](https://inews.co.uk/news/blue-monday-2022-what-most-depressing-day-of-the-year-myth-meaning-explained-1405903?ico=in-line_link). “Despite the fact the phrase originates from an advertising campaign and there is no credible evidence to show that one day in particular can increase the risk of people feeling depressed, the myth of Blue Monday continues to persist. [“add your running speed to the colour of an apple”](https://broadly.vice.com/en_us/article/bmwe43/why-the-science-behind-blue-monday-is-bull). [weather is bleak](https://inews.co.uk/news/uk-weather-forecast-britain-snow-temperatures-wintry-week-2086139?ico=in-line_link) (with [the UK hit by widespread flooding last week](https://inews.co.uk/news/uk-flood-map-where-warnings-flooding-england-wales-latest-weather-forecast-2081077?ico=in-line_link)), the [ mornings are dark and foreboding](https://inews.co.uk/news/when-start-getting-lighter-time-sunset-uk-today-days-get-longer-2064236?ico=in-line_link) and the [ joy of the festive season has now faded](https://inews.co.uk/light-relief/christmas-tree-decorations-should-take-down-today-twelfth-night-2023-date-explained-2066433?ico=in-line_link). [why you might feel down in January](https://inews.co.uk/news/science/blue-monday-today-most-depressing-day-year-why-myth-explained-243350?ico=in-line_link), even before the [UK’s cost of living crisis comes into the equation](https://inews.co.uk/news/cost-of-living-crisis-when-end-uk-energy-prices-inflation-fall-payments-explained-2082440?ico=in-line_link).

The original press release claimed that Blue Monday was calculated by a formula that takes into account various factors such as debt levels, temperatures, time ...

By shifting our perspective, we can turn Blue Monday into just another day and start the new year off on a positive note. [What do you think of the anti-strike laws?](https://www.standard.co.uk/comment/comment/anti-strike-laws-minimum-level-service-government-legislation-industrial-action-talking-point-b1052925.html?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Twitter#Echobox=1673628879-2) [Blue Monday](https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/blue-monday-january-2023-depressing-day-b1050497.html), the third Monday of January and apparently, for many, it’s the most depressing day of the year. Dr Dean Burnett, a tutor at Cardiff University’s division of psychological medicine and clinical neurosciences, has called the idea of Blue Monday “nonsense” and said that the equation was not the result of a psychological study by a reputable lab. Blue Monday marks the third Monday of the year and is believed to be the most depressing day [Blue Monday](/topic/blue-monday) was first coined by UK travel company Sky Travel in a 2005 press release, where they named the day as the most depressing of the year due to financial struggles, bad weather, and failed New Year’s resolutions.

New Order have teamed up with Peter Saville and CALM to create a 'Blue Monday' inspired T-shirt for the mental health charity.

[Blue Monday’ has been on repeat since 1983 for a generation of music lovers](https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/new-order-blue-monday-live-1983-video-revolutionary/). The band shared a statement on the shirt’s release, writing: “We are proud to be ambassadors for CALM and honoured to be using ‘Blue Monday’ to help raise awareness for the brilliant work they do to support millions of people struggling with their mental health.” Whether you’re having a Blue Monday, Tuesday or Thursday, we want people to know that CALM is there for you every day if you’re struggling.”

The third Monday of January is often deemed "Blue Monday" and is described as the "most depressing day of the year," citing the dreary weather and the ...

While the science behind “Blue Monday” has long been “But ultimately we wanted to use this as a vehicle to raise awareness and funds for CALM’s important work.” The shirt is available through February 17.