Learn the origin of this term and why it remains valid today.
Like all third Mondays in January, this January 20, 2025 commemorates the Blue Monday. Translated as Blue Monday, this day is said to be the most depressing of the year and it is an especially popular date in the United Kingdom.
The appearance of Blue Monday generated great repercussions at the time, since it was not born as a result of a scientific study: on the contrary, the idea of Blue Monday appeared as part of a marketing campaign.
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Origin of Blue Monday
The term Blue Monday was born in 2005 and was created by the British psychologist Cliff Arnall. While working for an advertising campaign for travel agency Sky Travel, Arnall developed this concept to encourage people to plan and purchase trips at a specific time of year when they might feel sad.
The objective of this was to associate this feeling with the need to get away to a happier place. However, it has already been rejected several times by specialists. In fact, psychologists consider it a marketing strategy without scientific basis and that promotes consumerism.
Blue Monday: the saddest day of the year
Although it has no scientific basis, The term Blue Monday became popular due to its media impact. The reasons Cliff Arnall gave to show that the third Monday in January is the saddest day of the year are:
- Climatic conditions: In January, in many countries in the northern hemisphere, the weather is cold, dark and gray.
- End of the festivities: The Christmas and New Year celebrations are behind us, and with them the excitement and enthusiasm.
- Finance: January is usually a difficult month financially due to Christmas expenses and accumulated debts.
- Motivation: Many people begin to abandon their New Year’s resolutions, which can lead to frustration or discouragement.
- Time since the holidays: The daily routine starts to feel monotonous after the festive period.
The psychologist specifically chose this day thanks to the use of a mathematical formula, (W+(Dd)) x TQ/M x NAwhich translates as follows: (Weather + (Debts – Monthly Salary)) x Time and Frustration for not meeting New Year’s resolutions / Motivation x Need to Act.
Source: Ambito
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