The month of January offers so much possibility. With the excitement of completing New Year’s Resolutions and longer days (in the Northern Hemisphere at least), it’s a clean slate ready for us to change and improve.

January is the month when we are urged to #CleanOurDesks, #GetOrganised and #HaveFunAtWork. But January is also the month of #BlueMonday – known as the most depressing day of the year.

Created by psychologist Cliff Arnall, it falls on the third Monday in January every year (January 18 this year). He started it after holiday company, Sky Travel, asked him for a “scientific formula” for the January blues. The first such date declared was January 24 in 2005.

This scientific formula runs something like this:

Supposedly the date was calculated using many factors including:

• Weather conditions
• Debt level (the difference between debt accumulated and our ability to pay)
• Time since Christmas
• Time since failing our new year’s resolutions
• Low motivational levels and a feeling of a need to take action.

Unsurprisingly, there is nothing scientific about Blue Monday. 

Dr Philip Clarke, a psychology lecturer at the University of Derby in the UK, explains: “I can understand why people would feel down in January, you’ve just come off Christmas – spending a lot of time with family, overindulging and it’s a lot darker outside. 

“The key thing to remember is that Blue Monday isn’t scientifically proven – there’s not even proof January sees a rise in mental health referrals although it may seem that way,” he adds. 

Indeed, in 2018, Arnall told The Independent newspaper that it was “never his intention to make the day sound negative”, but rather “to inspire people to take action and make bold life decisions”.

However, if you’re struggling with post-Christmas blues, the arrival of unpaid credit card bills and COVID19 restrictions, what can you do? Here are some top tips:

• Avoid speculation and use reputable sources of information
• Make a personal financial plan
• Stay connected with friends and family
• Manage your stress levels
• Keep active
• Eat a balanced diet
• Mute accounts and hashtags that cause you anxiety
• Talk to your children
• Anticipate distress
• Try not to make assumptions or judgements

And remember that Blue Monday is just a PR stunt and that January has much to offer all of us.