Why today is Blue Monday and is the most depressing day of the year

The third Monday of every January is known as Blue Monday - which is meant to be the most depressing day of the year.

The Christmas and New Year excitement has worn off, it feels like forever until payday, the weather is cold and it's still dark and dull outside. Resolutions are starting to wear off, leaving us feeling disheartened, while festive spending is also catching up with us - compounded by the cost of living crisis and rising energy bills.

But the phrase Blue Monday was actually coined in 2005 by UK travel company Sky Travel. The concept was published in a press release which claimed to have calculated the date based on an equation which included factors live the weather and low motivational levels.

Read more: January is awful - so these are the gigs we're going to in the first month of 2023

But when a day is labelled negatively, it can become a self-fulfilling prophecy, leaving people noticing the 'bad' in the day rather than the 'good.' Lucinda Fox, online consumer expert at NetVoucherCodes.co.uk said: “Now that Christmas and New Year have ended, it’s natural to feel down in the dumps about the celebrations being over.

“But for some people, the impact can be heavier than just feeling slightly sad about the occasions being over, which can result in feeling depressed and hopeless. We wanted to offer budget-friendly advice to help people boost their mood without having to spend a fortune.

“Simple things like keeping the diary filled or creating a new music playlist can liven spirits and save a healthy chunk of cash.”

Here are seven budget-friendly ways from NetVoucherCodes.co.uk to boost your mood this January...

Being social and sticking to plans can keep you distracted from the miserable weather hampering your mood. Even a simple cup of coffee with an old friend can lift your spirits.

A walkout in nature helps to decrease stress and take your mind off the realities in life - paired with some great music, you can escape to your own inner world.

A UV lamp, also known as a ‘happy lamp,’ has great mental health benefits, as the artificial sunlight can fool your body into thinking it’s summer. It’s also recommended as a useful tool to aid symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder.

Yoga is one of the most peaceful forms of exercise to boost your mental health. There are plenty of free tutorials online so you can easily get started in the comfort of your own home.

Hobbies are important to follow through as they keep your mind occupied and perfecting a new skill can instantly boost your happiness. Painting, gardening, cooking - the possibilities are endless and can be done on a budget.

You don’t have to get sweaty and work out every single day, but exercise can help to boost your mood and it's known to aid the symptoms of depression. You don’t need to pay for a gym membership as a home workout or a jog in the park can be equally rewarding.

Music is praised for its ability to take your mindset out of a negative space and boost your morale. Creating a new playlist can keep you busy and you get the joy of rediscovering some of your favourite tunes. A monthly subscription to streaming services costs less than a tenner, but it works out cheaper than buying tracks individually.
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