Marketing that influences a myth
The third Monday of January is often labelled “Blue Monday” — supposedly the most depressing day of the year. But is it really?
The truth is, Blue Monday began in 2005 as part of a marketing campaign. It tied together the post-holiday slump, winter weather, and the arrival of January bills. While many of us do feel lower in mood around this time, there’s no scientific basis for calling one particular day “the saddest.”
Blue Monday may be a myth, but mental health is real — and it matters every day of the year.
You and your experience matters, every day of the year, and we’re always here to listen.
The Problem With “The Saddest Day”
Pinning depression or low mood to a single date oversimplifies something much more complex. Mental health doesn’t follow the calendar. For some people, mid-January might feel heavy. For others, it may be just another ordinary Monday.
Saying that everyone is at their lowest on the same day can also feel dismissive of those living with ongoing depression — a condition that doesn’t fit neatly into a day or week. It risks normalising a stereotype that low mood is seasonal or temporary, when for many, it’s persistent, nuanced, and deeply personal.
Why The Myth Persists
Blue Monday became widely shared because it’s easy to digest — a single date to blame or acknowledge. It creates a story we can all relate to: post-holiday blues, financial stress, cold, short days. While the day itself is arbitrary, it acts as a cultural touchpoint, reminding us that January can feel challenging for many.
It’s also a reflection of the human desire to quantify emotions, to assign meaning or patterns to experiences that are otherwise intangible. The issue is not noticing low mood, but oversimplifying it to a single day.
Finding Meaning Beyond The Label
Even though Blue Monday was invented, it highlights a truth: many people struggle with mood, motivation, and energy during winter. Shorter days, colder weather, disrupted routines, and financial or social pressures all play a part.
Rather than focusing on whether this Monday is “the saddest,” we can use the idea as a prompt: to check in with ourselves and with those around us. It’s an invitation to notice, rather than judge, our emotional rhythms.
Gentle Ways To Support Your Wellbeing
These aren’t cures, but small steps that can help soften the weight of low mood:
- Set small steps. Even simple actions — a short walk, tidying a corner of your space, or phoning a friend — can bring a sense of progress and agency.
- Ground yourself. Techniques like 5-4-3-2-1 (naming five things you see, four you touch, three you hear, two you smell, one you taste) can anchor you in the present moment and calm rumination.
- Prioritise routines. Regular sleep, gentle movement, and balanced meals support mood regulation even when motivation is low.
- Practice self-kindness. January often carries pressure: new resolutions, societal expectations, and comparisons. Moving slowly, one step at a time, is not failing — it’s caring for yourself.
- Seek connection. Check in with friends, family, or community groups. Even brief interactions can reduce the sense of isolation and reinforce belonging.
Therapy And Low Mood
Therapy isn’t about waiting for “the worst day of the year.” It’s about finding support whenever life feels heavy. Whether your low mood is occasional or persistent, therapy provides space to explore:
- What your patterns of mood and energy look like.
- How external pressures affect your wellbeing.
- Tools and perspectives for coping and self-care that fit your life.
Therapy can help you notice subtle shifts in your emotional landscape, identify triggers, and develop personalised strategies that go beyond generic “tips.”
The right time to care for your mental health is always today.
You don’t need a day on the calendar to start prioritising or noticing your mental health, you can do it right now.
Blue Monday May Be A Myth — But Mental Health Is Real
Blue Monday might be a marketing invention, but it opens a meaningful conversation. It’s an opportunity to pause, reflect, and remind ourselves that wellbeing matters — not just on one Monday in January, but every day.
Acknowledging this, taking small, intentional steps, and seeking support when needed are ways to treat mental health as an ongoing practice rather than a seasonal event. Even if the calendar says otherwise, your mood and your wellbeing deserve attention year-round.
