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Blue Monday: What Is It & Why Is It Considered the Saddest Day of the Year?

Everything About This Unfortunate Monday

We all remember certain dates without even trying –like Tuesday the 13th, Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Groundhog Day, and of course, ‘Blue Monday.’ In recent years, though, it feels like almost any day in January could hold that title, especially when we’re still recovering from the holiday season. But if we dive into the recurring myths that capture our attention year after year, it’s important to note that since 2005, the third Monday of this month, which in 2024 falls on January 15th, has been crowned as the ‘saddest day of the year.’

On this day, you’ll notice something interesting happening on social media –the hashtag #BlueMonday pops up everywhere, reminding us that today might be a bit gloomy. It’s a day filled with nostalgia, a touch of sadness, and perhaps a few tears. Yet, there are always those who choose to face this day with a more positive outlook. 

But does Blue Monday actually exist? 

While it’s tempting to believe in the concept of this melancholic day, there’s no solid scientific evidence to support it as the saddest day of the year. In fact, even the person who coined the term, Professor Cliff Arnall, has disassociated himself from its validity. But let’s take a closer look and separate fact from fiction when it comes to #BlueMonday.

The truth about Blue Monday

Yes, it’s true that many of us have come to accept the idea that the third Monday in January is, indeed, the saddest day of the year. However, this designation is more about collective perception than an actual universally sorrowful day. Psychologist Cliff Arnall is the one who designated this day and formulated a formula to calculate it –all as part of a marketing campaign. 

The marketing agency, Porter Novelli, had a clear objective in mind for their client, Sky Travel: promoting the best time to plan vacations and boosting travel sales. Arnall’s formula takes into consideration factors like the weather, the financial strain often associated with January, and those New Year’s resolutions that, if we haven’t kept them by this point, tend to remain unfulfilled. 

The Myths About Blue Monday

When you flip the formula around, where Mondays are generally disliked, January is often chilly, and keeping up with New Year’s resolutions is a challenge, the credibility of this concept starts to crumble. Who actually hits the gym on January 1st? Very few. And even on the 16th, not many. 

Numerous psychologists and experts have discredited the idea of this being a genuinely sad day, suggesting that it’s a well-planned marketing scheme designed to spread false sadness among the public. Even the term’s creator, Cliff Arnall, often jokes about it and distances himself from its accuracy, particularly in places like the Canary Islands, where the weather is consistently sunny. Essentially, it’s more about perception and advertising. 

Scientists, psychologists, experts, and even law enforcement authorities have all refuted the notion of this being a truly melancholic day. 

We Spoke with Marc Ruiz: Psychologist & Psychotherapist

Here at LOS40, we reached out to an expert to get to the bottom of the #BlueMonday phenomenon. We had a conversation with Marc Ruiz, a psychologist, psychotherapist, and co-founder of the Basque Association for Mental Health. 

     BlueMonday attempts to use a mathematical calculation to pinpoint the most depressing day of the year. But this calculation lacks any real evidence. How an individual feels depends on personal factors, such as emotions, social circumstances, cognitive factors, and individual situations.”

For instance, while people may generally feel better during the summer due to pleasant weather and vacations, a person’s overall well-being can’t be defined by a specific day. “The #BlueMonday is based on an equation that factors in things like the January slump but fails to consider each person’s unique circumstances.” 

So, How Can We Handle this Day? 

Treat it like any other Monday during the year. Understand that, despite challenges or setbacks, life goes on, and brighter days will follow. Maintain a positive outlook and give yourself a break –after all, there are plenty of days ahead to work on your New Year’s resolutions. 

And, of course, #BlueMonday needn’t be gloomy if you pair it with some uplifting music. For example, you can listen to our playlist of 40 songs –songs that are sure to brighten your day, even if it’s a Monday, whether it’s snowing outside, or you’re in the middle of exams. Keep those spirits high! 

Read the original article in Spanish for LOS40.