Why Blue Monday makes me sad

January is hard enough without people pinpointing a day you should feel especially low. Any lingering feel-good factor from Christmas is deflating like a month-old balloon, it’s dark all the time and the weather sucks.

And although you might have reined in your drinking after the party season, for many of us, the festive financial hangover is really starting to make itself felt. Credit cards used to cover the cost of Christmas need to be paid and a week can feel like a lifetime when you’re waiting for payday.

Where did Blue Monday come from?

Blue Monday is a cynical marketing tactic designed to boost holiday bookings. Sky Travel asked psychologist Cliff Arnall to come up with an explanation for the January blues.

He pinpointed the third Monday of the month as the most depressing day of the year based on factors including the time since Christmas, motivation levels and the weather. He later admitted it was a load of baloney.

Why it bugs me

My problem with it – it’s just not helpful whether you’re depressed or not. If you’re sailing through the month feeling absolutely fine, nothing will lower your mood quicker than being encouraged to naval-gaze and start questioning if you really are happy.

And if you’re feeling down or actually suffering from depression, gimmicky concepts only serve to distract attention away from the real issues.

Working out what will help

Pinpointing what’s affecting your mental health is the best place to start.

Money worries can be particularly acute at this time of year.

This is highlighted by the fact that more than 6,000 people used our service between Christmas Eve and Boxing Day – up 29% on the previous year. And tellingly, more than one in five sought help between 10pm and 3am, suggesting that money worries are keeping a lot of people up at night.

The trend has continued into 2026. Between New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, again just shy of 6,000 people turned to us for help - a 14% increase on the same time in 2024-25 - with 20% reaching out when most people are safely tucked up in bed.

If debt is keeping you awake at night, instead of burying your head in the sand (or booking a holiday), get in touch with someone who can help.

Trivialising depression

Depression is not a one-day occurrence and can be the result of many different factors. If you’re struggling, Samaritans suggest social interaction is a powerful way to combat loneliness and support mental health.

Their Brew Monday campaign urges people not to suffer in silence but rather to meet up with friends, family or colleagues over a cuppa.

Organisations like Mind and Rethink Mental Illness are also on hand to provide support to people battling depression.