Christmas is over, post-holiday credit card bills are due, it’s dark outside for longer than it is light, and New Year’s resolutions may be becoming harder to sustain.
There are many reasons to feel “down” in January.
And thanks to one university psychology lecturer, today — the third Monday in January — is branded the most depressing day of the year.
What is Blue Monday?
Cliff Arnall, a Cardiff University-lecturer in psychology, coined the term Blue Monday in the early 2000s. Arnell created the term for a travel company to boost sales and encourage consumers to book trips.
Backed by pseudo-science, Arnall developed a relatively ineffective formula that considers “weather”, “debt”, “motivation” and the “time since Christmas” as factors to determine if one was depressed.
According to a 2006 article in The Guardian, Arnall’s equations “fail to make mathematical sense on their own terms.”
The Blue Monday equation wasn’t the only obscure mathematical claim Arnall made. He also developed a formula for happiness that considers outdoor activity, social interaction, and weather.
So why does Blue Monday resonate with the public?
Was it a marketing scheme taken too far, convincing people they were sad rather than highlighting an existing condition?
Or is there evidence to support Arnall’s claim?
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
Shawn Crawford, a registered psychologist in Alberta and senior lecturer at Mount Royal University, says the idea of Blue Monday does relate to “genuine factors and challenges” recognized in psychology.
Crawford explains how Seasonal Affective Disorder is a patterned mood disorder often accompanied by major depressive disorder or bipolar disorder.
“Affected individuals may experience depressive episodes that coincide with seasonal changes,” said Crawford in an interview with the Calgary Journal.
He adds that factors such as living in the northern hemisphere, where it’s colder and darker, might result in symptoms such as oversleeping, increased appetite, feeling lethargic or “heavy”, and decreased activity.
The Canadian Mental Health Association says two to three per cent of Canadians experience SAD in their lifetime, while 15 per cent will experience a milder form of SAD but still live without major disruptions. In addition, the Canadian Psychological Association says 10 per cent of all depression diagnoses are SAD.
Certain groups are often at higher risk of SAD, including adults before the age of 50, women and individuals who live in northern countries or cities.
“Blue Monday certainly doesn’t represent a pinnacle of depression,” said Crawford.
Dealing with SAD
Whether you’re experiencing the post-Christmas blues or feeling the weight of the New Year, you’re not alone.
Crawford says it’s important for individuals struggling with SAD to combat their symptoms with “behavioural activation.”
This can include, but is not limited to, getting up and outside during daylight hours, adding activity to your day, getting proper sleep and creating daily routines.
He says “cocooning” is one of the worst things you can do for your mental health during the winter months.
In fact, in 1986, Reverend Kevin Zaborney established Jan. 21 as National Hugging Day in order to combat the winter blues.
A study published by the National Library of Medicine found that hugging can lower cortisol levels and reduce stress, especially in women.
Zabornery said he chose Jan. 21 because it fell between Christmas/New Year’s and Valentine’s Day – a time, based on his research, when people are at an emotional low.
For more information about SAD, visit: The Canadian Mental Health Association.
For help and resources, check out Bell Let’s Talk.
