Every year, the third Monday of January is called "Blue Monday" and this year coincided with January 18th. According to this theory, on this day of the year we are all cold, with no money in our pockets and laden with guilt from everything that happened at the end of the year. The feeling of the holidays is gone and all that is left are the constant efforts to lose the pounds gained, to drink less alcohol and to become a better person.

But, is Blue Monday really the most depressing day of the year or just a marketing strategy?

This concept was first created in 2005, by psychologist Cliff Arnall. He came up with a formula that “explained” the factors that influence the blue moon. Weather conditions, debts incurred for the holidays, expenses, low level of motivation or the feeling of doing something different are said to make the third Monday of the year, the most horrible day.

However, other psychologists say there are a number of reasons to believe that "blue moon" is meaningless. "

This theory, despite its veracity, has proven fantastic as a marketing strategy. People "cure" the depression of these 24 hours through good foods, beauty treatments or buying new clothes.

"Blue Monday", meaningless or not at least highlights a problem like loneliness and makes people talk out loud about depression. What matters is to interact with others, even by offering them a cup of coffee while on vacation. If we faced 2020, "the most horrible day of the year" is just an ordinary Monday!

Burimi: The Independent & The Scotsman