What is the Science Behind Blue Monday?

With Christmas all wrapped up New Year celebrations a distant memory, the prospect of 'Blue Monday' is looming. According to experts, the third Monday of January is “the most depressing day of the year” and sees melancholy moods hit an annual high. While critics maintain that Blue Monday is little more than a myth, some psychologists assert that there's genuine science behind the most depressing day of the year.  

A seriously miserable formula

Back in 2005 British psychologist Dr Cliff Arnall coined the term 'Blue Monday' and backed it up with a convincing scientific formula:

[W+(D-d)]xTQ/MxNA

'W' represents weather, which is usually relentlessly gloomy in mid-January. Even in countries like Australia, where January is usually hot and sunny, experts affirm that Blue Monday is still a reality. Capital 'D' stands for debt, which can often accumulate over the silly season. In fact, the latest statistics warn that most Brits won't pay off their Christmas debts until at least April. Lower case 'd' represents monthly salary, with many UK workers not expecting a pay cheque until the end of January or beginning of February.

Throw in 'T' for time since Christmas, 'Q' for time elapsed since lapsing on a New Year resolution to give something up, 'M' for low motivational levels and 'NA' for the need to act, and Arnall developed one seriously miserable formula.

A positive spin on Blue Monday

While the term does have negative connotations, Arnall has responded to backlash with comments that the phrase was intended to inspire people to honestly assess their personal situations and in response, take positive action and proactive life decisions. Ultimately, he hopes Blue Monday will encourage people to view 2019 as an opportunity for new beginnings and constructive change.

“Whether embarking on a new career, meeting new friends, taking up a new hobby or booking a new adventure, January is actually a great time to make those big decisions for the year ahead,” he says.

From prescription antidepressants to natural remedies, there's no shortage of ways to treat both seasonal and chronic depression. Now, medicinal cannabis has emerged as a new treatment option for lightening the mood. For a closer look at the complexities of the medical marijuana industry, don't miss 'Good is Not a Number - Challenges in the Cannabis Extraction Manufacturing: Transitioning from Traditional Subjective to Modern QC/QA/PAT Chromatographic Analysis.