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Lancashire Times
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Jan Harris
Deputy Group Editor
6:00 AM 20th January 2020
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Is Blue Monday The Worst Day Of The Year?

 
When is Blue Monday?

In 2020 the date of Blue Monday is Monday 20 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, the nights are dark, resolutions broken and unpaid credit card bills start to arrive, so making it the most depressing day of the year.

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)]xTQ/MxNa.

If you are confused by this then perhaps this explanation might help:


W = weather

D = debt

d = monthly salary

T = time since Christmas

Q = time since failing New Year's resolutions

M = low motivational levels

Na = the feeling of a need to take action


Positive Monday!

As Blue Monday approaches let us make it a positive Monday instead. The Samaritans always turn Blue Monday into #BrewMonday by encouraging people to get together for tea and a chat.

Research has shown that doing small things for other people impacts on people's happiness and causes positive effects.

Even if the New Year's Resolutions have failed we can still make January a time of fresh starts and positive thinking. We can all be a 'glass half-full' type of person instead of the negative 'glass half-empty' one.

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.

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.

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.

So let us all think and be positive on this #BlueMonday.