What is Blue Monday?
Blue Monday appears as a day in January for those in the Northern Hemisphere, which is said to be the most difficult day of the year. The original concept was first published in 2005 by a UK travel company using an equation which looked at factors including weather conditions, debt level, time since Christmas, time since new year’s resolutions have been broken, low levels of motivation, and the feeling of a need to take more action. Taking all of these into account, this was the day that a high number of people would book holidays abroad.
Typically Blue Monday falls on the third Monday of January each year.
When is Blue Monday 2022?
Blue Monday is on Monday 17th January 2022.
However, there has been some criticism of the term ‘Blue Monday’…
It has been suggested amongst scientists that the concept of Blue Monday isn’t something which we should follow as a society as it cannot be proven.
Of course, many people find the month of January a difficult one, the weather isn’t particularly enjoyable, the excitement of Christmas is over, and people are feeling the effects of Christmas spending. However, it is important to remember that feeling down or unmotivated is something that can happen to anyone, at any time of the year, so don’t feel that if ‘Blue Monday’ has already passed that you can’t ask for support or practice self-care!
What can I do to make my ‘Blue Monday’ or ‘down days’ better?
- Take the advice that is suggested by the Samaritans! Turn ‘Blue Monday’ into ‘Brew Monday’! Reach out to family and friends over a cuppa and have a chat – you can even do this over the phone or video-call if you feel more confortable doing it that way.
- Find a simple hobby or acitivty to keep you occupied and to take a break from uni work – a hobby can also give you a sense of achievement and can be something you could do with friends!
- Get some exercise – you could do this by joining a sports society, by participating in the ‘Feel Good’ sports sessions organised by the SU (information can be found –here-), or organising something with your friends.
- Eating good food – check out the Student Life website for some excellent food ideas and hacks! – Remember also to avoid getting stuck in diet fads that are often advertised around the start of the year, they aren’t the best for your mental health, and they don’t take into account that everybody is different and need different things.
- Start reading a book – swap books with friends or head over to the library – don’t forget the University Library also has fiction books available!
- Identify your concerns, talk to people and stay positive – Remember, you are not alone. Everyone struggles with different things, at different times of year or different times of the day. Talk to people whenever you can, whether it be over the phone with people back home, or with people you live with, or with your other mates, or even with someone at the University – there will always be someone there for you.
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