Monday, January 20th, is “Blue Monday.” It is a name given to the Monday in the third week of January, considered by lifestyle consultants in the UK to be the most depressing day of the year. The concept of “Blue Monday” first appeared in 2005 and was published in a press release by the company Sky Travel.
Then, this date was attributed several negative social connotations: weather changes, bad luck in business, love breakups. For people who prefer to always see the glass half full, January is the month in which people set new goals, start a series of interesting activities and undergo a reassessment process in the hope of obtaining optimistic results in the next 12 months, according to the British tabloid The Mirror. However, for less optimistic people, January is the most difficult month of the year.
In January, the human body is feeling the effects of the alcohol and chocolate binge of December, and bank accounts are nearing bankruptcy from Christmas presents and New Year’s Eve parties.
In addition, it will be several months before daylight hours increase significantly and vitamin D levels in the body can regenerate through natural exposure to sunlight. There is also an empirical calculation formula for determining this special day.
According to travel agency Sky Travel, which quotes lifestyle expert Cliff Arnall, the calculation formula takes into account several variables – weather conditions, the level of accumulated debt, the number of days that have passed since Christmas, the number of days that have passed since the violation of the goals set for the new year and the low level of motivation.
Tips to Fight Blue Monday
Experts also offer some solutions to combat “Blue Monday.”
They recommend spending time outdoors when possible or using light therapy.
Exercise, even a short walk, has also been shown to be beneficial for your mood.
Plan something enjoyable: organize a meeting with friends, book a getaway, or simply plan an afternoon to relax.
At the same time, it would be good to focus on small victories: instead of focusing on missed goals, celebrate small achievements.
3 out of 10 Romanians experience Blue Monday as one of the most difficult days of the year
The beginning of the year brings not only financial challenges, but also a difficult emotional state for many Romanians. According to a study conducted by Raiffeisen Bank Romania, in collaboration with Appinio, a global market research company, 3 out of 10 Romanians experience Blue Monday as one of the most difficult days of the year, and the main causes of the emotional discomfort are the cold weather, excessive spending during the holidays and accumulated fatigue.
5 out of 10 Romanians have heard of Blue Monday, the third Monday in January and what specialists call the most depressing day of the year, and the phenomenon is known especially among people with higher education and Bucharest residents, who are more aware of the impact of this period on their emotional and financial state, the study reveals.
The results of the study show that Blue Monday is not just an urban myth, but a common reality for many Romanians, which significantly affects them, especially financially.
The combination of higher utility bills, increased holiday spending and cold weather creates additional pressure on their overall well-being. In addition, 37% of respondents believe that their financial situation influences their emotional state.
During this period, more than half of Romanians (53%) become more cautious with their spending, while 22% are more prone to impulsive decisions. Financial stress is also felt more strongly in families with children. Smaller budgets and higher expenses push many Romanians to adopt emergency solutions. Thus, over 40% of Romanians turn to savings or loans to cope with post-holiday expenses, while only 4 out of 10 use financial applications to manage their budget.