The third Monday in January is deemed the Blue Monday.  It began in 2005 as a marketing gimmick by Sky Travel, a UK travel company, to be the most depressing day of the year. The term was coined in 2004 for Sky Travel by Cliff Arnall, a psychologist and motivational speaker, who claimed that they calculated the date considering the weather conditions in the Northern Hemisphere.

Like all Mondays, it is dispirited because one must return to work after the weekend. It is characterised by a lack of energy, fatigue, lack of concentration, weight gain, etc.

The third Monday of January is also the Cheese Lover’s Day and this year it was the day of the Presidential Inauguration of Trump.  Did it make it more depressing for some?

It caught the attention of Canadians as it appeared true.  Year after year, the third week of January recorded very low temperatures. In 2025, the week recorded minus 20°C. During this time of the year, daylight is at a premium, nights are long and cold. It is the time when holiday bills arrive giving many a nightmare. It is also the time when most New Year’s resolutions are broken.

Arnall’s calculations were rejected by the scientific and academic community world over as there is no credible research evidence to show that Blue Monday is more depressing than any other day of the year. It cannot be that this day must be a bad day for everyone.  Some may have it good too. Remember that no single day of the year is universally great for everyone or terrible for everyone

Suggested ways to wade through the Blue Monday is to involve in daily meaningful activities like getting proper sleep, maintaining a healthy diet, being physically active, setting up a budget to manage your spending habits, pursuing your hobbies and interests, stay connected with friends and family, avoid drugs and alcohol, etc.  It applies to every day of the year and is not limited to Blue Monday.

During the run up to Blue Monday, some companies advertise their mood-boosting supplements, discounted gym memberships, financial management classes and travel deals to sunny destinations.

The happiest day in Canada on a similar scale is believed to be between June 21 and 24 – the period of Summer Solstice – close to mid-summer.

Now the third Monday of January has been labelled the most depressing day of the year – a notion planted in the consumer for marketing travel deals – and also creating a market desire to fix it.