Bummed out? 'Blue Monday' is here. (Or is it?)

Mondays are the worst. January is also the worst. And according to some, today is the worst day in the worst month of 2011. Welcome to Blue Monday. 

As CBS New York and other news outlets are reporting it, a British psychologist has developed an equation showing that the third Monday in January is the most depressing day of the year. (That very important and not at all made-up equation takes into account weather, debt, time since Christmas, time since screwing up on our New Year's resolutions, low motivational levels and the feeling of a need to take action, according to a press release issued by the UK's Mental Health Foundation in 2009. Science!) This morning, Blue Monday was a top trending topic on Twitter, just below Martin Luther King, Jr., Day and above the Golden Globes. 

But! A quick bit of Internet sleuthing shows today may not be as dreary as it initially appeared. First, according to the "Bad Science" column in the UK newspaper The Guardian, the whole "blue Monday" idea is attributed to psychologist Cliff Arnall of Cardiff University; in 2005, his name was attached to a press release describing the Blue Monday equation. But the newspaper later printed a correction requested by the school, saying that Arnall was actually just a former part-time tutor at the university. And even according to Arnall's own equation, we have a week to go until the real Blue Monday arrives.

Bottom line: Sometimes things you read on the Internet aren't true. Now that's a real downer.

Feeling bluer than usual today? Could it be because you're working on this national holiday? Do tell

You can find The Body Odd on Twitter and Facebook, and follow Melissa Dahl @melissadahl. 

 

 

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Discuss this post

my problem is being in santa barbara ca in 78 degree weather and having to work im not complaining about the weather i love that just working on the holiday and being blue that way.

    Reply#1 - Mon Jan 17, 2011 4:54 PM EST

    It makes me kinda blue to see that today is a U.S. federal holiday that various states and companies feel free to ignore. Gosh, wonder why?

      Reply#2 - Mon Jan 17, 2011 5:59 PM EST

      What makes you feel it was ignored? I live in Georgia, and even the schools that had to have session today (due to missing all of last week) had a ceremony and moment of silence to remember Dr. King and his message. I work for an assisted living community and had to work - but I'm pretty sure nobody would blame us for "ignoring" the federal holiday. As for states - What state are you thinking of that had any banks, city/state offices, or post offices that were open?

        #2.1 - Tue Jan 18, 2011 12:55 PM EST
        Reply

        I'm depressed today because it's the last day of the weekend. That can always be depressing.

          Reply#3 - Mon Jan 17, 2011 9:09 PM EST

          Hey jeans were made to be worn without washing for at least a week. I do it all the time, of course, proper hygiene (baths and clean underwear daily) will help keep them looking A-OK! Cowboys worn dem suckers a lot longer.

            Reply#4 - Fri Jan 21, 2011 1:13 PM EST

            I wash my jeans if they are obviously dirty OR if I want them to shrink up a bit to where they fit tighter (I usually wear them a week - I telecommute to work, so I can get away with that).

              Reply#5 - Fri Jan 21, 2011 2:08 PM EST

              Usually 2 or 3 times before I wash them,but not 3 days in a row.

                Reply#6 - Fri Jan 21, 2011 2:12 PM EST

                Usually wear them 2 or 3 times before I wash them but may not be in a row.

                  Reply#7 - Fri Jan 21, 2011 2:14 PM EST

                  I feel guilty if I wear them 2 or 3 times without washing them!

                    Reply#8 - Fri Jan 21, 2011 2:15 PM EST

                    I dont know how I would do that, I have a favorite pair of jeans but I am a jeans sort of guy I own more jeans then shirts, I can wear White/Black or any other solid color Tshirt but I have to put on new pair of jeans everyday! (own 20 pairs)

                      Reply#9 - Mon Jan 24, 2011 12:58 AM EST

                      I got the following from an article in a fashion/health magazine: Take your jeans, throw them in a sink full of water along with Woolite. Soak for "30 minutes". Rinse. dry, and shake out the wrinkles. Then wear them for several months (or more!) before repeating the process. Note: Dark blue jeans are in fashion right now so, if that matters to you, start with a new unbleached pair. I tried this idea and, along with being absolutely idiot proof, the end result really isn't that bad.

                        Reply#10 - Wed Jan 26, 2011 10:09 AM EST
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