Did you know that today is officially meant to be the most depressing day of the year? At least in the Northern hemisphere.
The concept of ‘Blue Monday’ may well have started as a marketing ploy, when a UK travel company, Sky Travel, claimed in a 2005 press release, that it was the 3rd Monday in January. They were hoping to boost holiday bookings by getting people to look ahead to a summer holiday.
The firm said that they had developed an ‘equation’ to calculate the date based on factors such as the weather, how long it had been since Christmas, how far away payday seemed and the time since New Year’s resolutions had failed and then multiplied them by low motivational feelings and a feeling of needing to take action.
In other words, we’re all cold, broke and riddled with guilt and shame about our failed resolutions.
However, many have dismissed the idea as pure pseudoscience.
That said, there is something about the post-Christmas period, the dark and often cold and wet days and nights, and the gaping period before the first pay cheque of the year, that can make this period seem especially dour and bleak.
With high rates of mental illness around it’s important to look after yourself and your colleagues
Janvi Patel Product Marketing Manager and a Mental Health First Aider
Put the kettle on
Although the origins stem from an advertising policy to boost sales of summer holidays, there is something about this part of January that we should be aware of, and Blue Monday has become a recognised day, whether based on a marketing sales ploy or not.
This is why campaigns by charities such as the Samaritans are so important.
They are running a campaign called ‘Brew Monday 2025’ to remind everyone to reach out for a cuppa and a catch-up with friends, colleagues and family.
On their dedicated Brew Monday page, they say that:
“At Samaritans we know there’s no such thing as ‘Blue Monday’. We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again – feeling low isn’t just something that happens on Mondays or a random day in January.
“So, we say out with the blue and in with the brew!
“There’s always time for a cuppa and a catch-up. It doesn’t matter if it’s a Monday morning or Saturday night, or if you’re drinking green tea, black coffee or orange juice. If you’re sharing a cuppa and listening, you’re doing it right!”.
Take time to talk
I couldn’t agree more and the benefits of taking time to chat with someone work both ways, whether you are the one reaching out to others or the person needing to hear a friendly voice.
We work in construction which has one of the highest rates of mental illness in UK industries, so it is important to recognise that and take time to look after yourself and your colleagues.
So, whether it is today, tomorrow, or sometime later this week, try reaching out to someone you’ve not heard from in a while and see if they fancy a quick chat over a cup of tea? That can be in person or over a Teams or a phone call.
Either way, even if you don’t manage to hook up this week, reaching out as a gesture will make someone feel noticed and valued ... and that’s always worth celebrating with a cuppa!
Janvi Patel is Product Marketing Manager and a Mental Health First Aider
