Yahoo Lifestyle 
‘Blue Monday’: Today is the most depressing day of the year
If you’re sitting at your desk this morning looking out at the sunshine and feeling completely down, you’re probably alone. Apparently today – January 15 – is the most depressing day of the year.
From realising that Christmas is well and truly over, your holidays are up, you’ve most likely spent all your money and you’re likely now back at work – all these things at up to make the third Monday of the year the absolute worst.
Add today's expected commuter chaos in Sydney and you've got a recipe for a nightmare.
Originating from Britain in 2005, “Blue Monday”, as it’s unaffectionately been dubbed, came out of the fact that people in Europe were also freezing in the deep, dark of winter.
There is even a glum calculation put together by Dr Cliff Arnall, a lecturer and “freelance happiness guru” from South Wales, that might explain why this Monday is worse than any other Monday.
[W + (D-d)] x Tq ÷ [M x Na]
Which means pretty much nothing to us – but basically translates to: today sucks.
In reality the ‘W’ stands for weather, ‘D’ for debt, ‘d’ refers to the monthly salary, ‘T’ the time since Christmas, ‘q’ the period since we’ve broken our New Year’s resolutions, ‘M’ for motivational levels while ‘Na’ is the feeling of a need to take action.
But despite this very convincing calculation, psychologist say it’s not a thing, and we fall into the trap of expecting a bad day – and as such having a bad day.
“For example, thinking it is the most depressing day of the year, we might start paying more attention to the negative events around us — the boss who doesn’t listen to our good advice, or the partner who isn’t doing enough around the house,” University of East London academic Jolanta Burke wrote for The Conversation.
Instead she says to make the day whatever you want it to be.
“Since Blue Monday is a hoax that may affect our thinking and emotions so much, let’s turn it into Happy Monday and reap the benefits.”
If you are concerned about the mental health of yourself or a loved one, seek support and information by calling Lifeline 13 11 14, Mensline 1300 789 978, or Kids Helpline 1800 551 800
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