Blue Monday Survival Guide ft. 10 Science-backed Tips
What is Blue Monday?
Blue Monday is the supposedly most depressing day of the year – where January blues reach their peak. In 2025 the date falls on Monday 20th January in the Northern Hemisphere. The date is generally reported as the third Monday in January, but some variations also claim it can fall on the second or fourth Monday.
The term ‘Blue Monday’ was coined by psychologist Cliff Arnall in 2004. Whilst its origins are rooted in a 2005 idea for a PR stunt by Sky Travel, Blue Monday is still a great time for some extra focus on the mental health of yourself and those around you.
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Why does Blue Monday fall on the third Monday of January?
The third Monday of the year was chosen as the date of Blue Monday based on many factors, although it can also fall on the second or fourth Monday.
Key Components of the Blue Monday Formula
- Poor weather conditions and lack of sunlight
- Debt accumulated during Xmas and winter deals
- The time since Christmas and distance remaining until pay day
- The low motivation and productivity levels we tend to experience as New Year’s Resolutions fall by the wayside
- The growing feeling of a need to take action
It’s a combination that certainly doesn’t sound like a formula for an uplifting start to the year. And one that could leave anyone feeling a bit low.
And 2025 is, of course, no ordinary year. Given recent events, debt level will be a heightened concern for many of us this January.
Is Blue Monday really the most depressing day of the year?
Despite its growing prominence as a calendar date, Blue Monday isn’t actually backed by scientific research data. Many experts question the whole notion of Blue Monday, suggesting it is more of a marketing gimmick rather than a scientifically or psychologically valid claim about depression.
The label of Blue Monday can contribute to anxiety for individuals dealing with mental health issues, but it also has the potential to initiate conversations and promote support networks surrounding mental health.
The True Origin of Blue Monday
Dr. Cliff Arnall developed the concept based on a brief from a PR firm representing the holiday company Sky Travel. Their plan was to identify the date people would be most likely to pay to book a winter holiday!
While it would be easy to dismiss the day as a simple PR stunt, Arnall did identify a number of relevant factors that are likely to influence our mental health and increase the likelihood of experiencing low mood at this time of year.
Singling out the third Monday of January as the most depressing day of the year is certainly pushing the bounds of credibility. But it evidently sounded good in a press release given how the concept has caught on since 2005.
The Happiest Day of the Year?
You might be interested to know that Arnall also identified the following dates as the happiest days of the year:
- 24 June 2005
- 23 June 2006
- 20 June 2008
- 18 June 2010
And yes, this was also for a press release – in this case for an ice cream company!
What can I do to feel better on such a depressing day?
Perhaps it won’t be on Blue Monday itself, but one day in January – as the time since Christmas begins to stretch out – you may find yourself feeling that the Xmas spirit has well and truly left the building. And perhaps that classic combination of ‘Blue Monday’ factors is soon rearing its head.
Mental health issues can affect people in various ways throughout the year, emphasising the importance of recognising and addressing these challenges continuously.
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An opportunity for positive action
If the Blue Monday formula is accurate, the feeling of a need to take action will soon be arriving too. This is an opportunity to turn our mind to more positive matters rather than dwelling on the areas we may feel we’re failing such as our new year’s resolutions! So here are some practical actions that can make a positive difference to your day.
Check your internal weather
Turn your focus away from the inclement January Weather conditions and instead look inward. Before you can take steps to boost your mood, it’s important to understand how you’re really feeling right now. Recognising and putting a label on our emotions can often be tricky and using the metaphor of ‘internal weather’ can really help to make this easier.
Cultivate your sense of control
When we’re feeling overwhelmed, Stephen Covey’s ‘Sphere of Influence’ concept can be useful to turn to. By focusing on the things we can control or influence rather than the things we can’t control, we can improve our sense of personal agency and reduce feelings of helplessness.
The Christmas period can often lead to debt and money worries as we enter the new year. If debt is a source of anxiety, Citizens Advice has a lot of useful resources that can help you to take action.
Boost your dopamine and oxytocin levels
Oxytocin is a hormone (sometimes called the ‘love hormone’ that is associated with social bonding and feelings of safety. So if you’re feeling isolated or lonely, something that can help is using techniques that boost oxytocin levels, including:
- Practicing self-kindness and self-compassion
- Mindfulness meditation
- Resting and sleeping
- Send a message expressing gratitude to people you know
Dopamine, on the other hand is a neurotransmitter associated with reward, pleasure and motivation. When we’re down and demotivated, dopamine boosting techniques can help us to overcome low motivational levels. For example:
- Physical exercise, movement or dancing
- Eating healthy foods that are high in protein and good fats
- Trying something new
- Practicing gratitude
- Celebrating small victories
Get out and connect with your community
Finally, never underestimate the wellbeing benefits of simply getting outside. When we’re in a rut, a change of scenery can often shift our perspective or disrupt cycles of negativity. Seeking out events and human connection can also provide a big boost – you don’t have to do it all on your own!
What can I do to rekindle New Year’s Resolutions and make them stick?
The more time since Christmas, the greater the chance that we’ll find our year’s resolutions wavering, leading to feelings of guilt or disappointment. This can be a recipe for low motivational levels. But it’s said that Blue Monday also comes with a feeling of a need to take action.
Our cheat list for Blue Monday Motivation
Let’s roll up our sleeves. Here’s our science-backed formula to help you get January life back on track
1. Reframe failing as learning
A growth mindset allows you to view failure as an opportunity to learn and grow, rather than a sign of inadequacy – fuelling self-development and boosting resilience.
2. Use Micro-goals
Breaking any larger goal into tiny steps helps it to feel less overwhelming and also provides a dopamine boost to spur you on every time you check one off the list!
3. Reward yourself
Rewards activate the brains dopamine pathway, creating feelings of satisfaction and accomplishment. This increases our desire to repeat behaviours and being able to anticipate a reward also raises self-motivation.
4. Tap into the Progress principle
Research by Teresa Amabile suggests that the experience of making progress is the strongest determinant of job satisfaction. This suggests that taking time to stop, acknowledge and celebrate small wins can really help to boost wellbeing by building a sense of personal momentum.
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Wishing you the best of luck with your Blue Monday self-care!
James Pacey
Co-founder & Commercial Director, Haptivate
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