How we came from the gloom of winter (especially January) to the non-existent day.
Today, Monday is considered the gloomiest day of the year. But Blue Monday, as the third Monday in January has come to be known over the past 20 years, is simply the product of clever marketing.
per day invented by a psychologist to sell holiday packages British mental health organization Manchester Mind reported on this. As he explained in his statement In 2004, Sky Travel asked psychologist Cliff Arnall to create an equation for the January blues.
The January blues are part of seasonal affective disorder. Those who suffer from it experience deterioration of mental mood in winter and improvement in summer.
The agency wanted equity to advertise vacation packages for the coming summer. Cliff Arnall came up with a formula combining factors that worsen mental mood:
- Bad weather conditions
- Hazy memories of the holiday season
- New Year’s resolutions failed
But as he has repeatedly stated did not base his equation on scientific data. Therefore he asked the world «to reject the concept» Blue Monday. But the damage was done and 20 years later we are still dealing with this nonsense.
Unfortunately, its effects are not few. “The Blue Monday concept trivializes depression, which is clearly not a one-day phenomenon.”, emphasizes the organization Manchester Mind.
Melancholy of January
As explained by Mme Sam Harwood, communications director In the body, many people suffer from a melancholic mood in winter, which causes them symptoms such as:
- Persistent feelings of failure or hopelessness
- Increased sensitivity to sadness and crying
- Easy sleep disorder
When these symptoms are mild, they are called winter blues. When it’s more severe, it’s called seasonal affective disorder (SAD). And apparently they’re not just observed on Blue Monday.
«The appearance of these symptoms is associated with a decrease in serotonin production”, – Mrs. Harwood explains. “Serotonin is a substance (neurotransmitter) secreted by the brain that regulates mood and emotions. In winter, its level is lower than in spring and summer, because they are affected by sunlight”.
A depressed mood, especially in January, can be reinforced by additional factors. These include worrying about holiday debt and insomnia.
Therefore sadness that one feels has nothing to do with the day of the year, but with a combination of factors, Ms. Harwood notes.
What to do
What is the solution? Take long walks when it’s sunny. Set a sleep schedule and stick to it. Avoid looking at your mobile phone and drinking coffee a few hours before bed. It’s also good to exercise a little more and talk to people who care about you. Finally, make sure you’re eating healthy because diet plays a role as well.
But if you find that these measures don’t improve your mood, talk to a professional, she recommends.