The third Monday in January is said to be the most depressing day of the year. What’s behind it? Is that even true? And what helps especially against a bad mood?
We often suffer from bad moods and winter blues during the cold season. In Denmark, on the other hand, the gray is usually even grayer than here and yet the Danes are considered the happiest people in the world. Jesper Thomsen, founder of the Danish startup SOUNDBOKS, reveals why this is the case and what we can do to banish the grayness a bit. To combat this, he celebrates a loud, colorful party with his employees every year – just in time on Blue Monday.
Blue Monday: What is that anyway?
The so-called Blue Monday goes to the British psychologist Cliff Arnall from Cardiff University. According to Arnall, you can use his formula to calculate the saddest and most depressing day of the year. The formula reads:
[1/8W+(D-d)]x3/8TQ:MxNA
The formula includes variables such as…
- Already broken good resolutions for the year (Q)
- Current weather (W) including temperatures
- Existing debts (D)
- The January salary (d)
- The time since Christmas (T)
- The current motivation hole (M)
- The need to do something about the sadness (NA)
The result: always the third Monday in January.
And it is most likely a cloudy day in which we want to lie in bed in a bad mood, watch one series after the next and want to destroy tons of ice cream, chips and chocolate. A typical day that you can enjoy in multiple versions between November and March. This means: there is nothing to the formula.
Tips against the winter blues – the Danes know how to do it!
1. Stay positive
The positive mindset is the most important thing, says Jesper Thomsen: “In Denmark it is usually even darker and rainier than in Germany. Nevertheless, almost everyone comes to work on foot or by bike. This awakens your spirits and allows you to stay fit – and if you run regularly, you will quickly get used to the weather. It’ll be even nicer when it gets sunnier and warmer again.”
2. Good vibes from good friends and family
Especially in the dark and cold months, we need friends and family around us. We also get the good-mood, happy feelings that we usually get from summer through pleasant company and great conversations. Nothing has a more positive effect on our psychological and physical state than human proximity. This gives us different thoughts and shows: Hey, we can be happy even in winter! And fortunately, having good conversations and spending time together is also possible virtually.
2. Collect karma points
Even if it is already dark in the late afternoon: the days are just as long as in summer. Use your free time and see which clubs or organizations are in your area, because people, animals and the environment need our help even in winter. Many organizations are particularly happy to welcome new members and helpers during this time. Use your good annual resolutions and look around your neighborhood. But it doesn’t have to be a new volunteer position: perhaps your older neighbor would also be happy about shopping or a piece of home-baked cake.
3. Dancing and celebrating
Some of us miss it very much. It will definitely take a while before this works again. But it’s still good to dance away again and you can do it in 10-20 minutes with a pair of headphones. Of course it’s not the same, but your favorite music certainly lifts your mood and we think that really freaking out can be easily described as a workout.
4. Get out into the fresh air
The only cure for winter is spring? We Danes are always outside. This is good for the immune system; ice bathing has now become a popular sport in Scandinavia. Anyone who has jumped into the cold water feels really alive again – and suddenly the winter air isn’t so cold anymore. For those who prefer something less extreme: cycling or a long walk in the cold winter air will also awaken your spirits.
5. Hygge
Our Danish word for “coziness” is now on everyone’s lips. But hygge also means peace, security and comfort and is the opposite of today’s fast-moving world. Let us therefore use the quiet months to recharge our inner batteries. In addition to a good book, puzzles or – in true Danish style – building Lego are also ideal ways to calm down again.
6. Crew Love Is True Love
You spend most of your time with your colleagues. This makes it all the more important that we maintain good collegial relationships. Especially in winter, many people are less involved in other activities and have more time for an evening together with colleagues. Why not ask your boss and your colleagues whether they would like to chat a bit after work or have a virtual breakfast together.
7. New hobby?
In the summer, of course, we want to spend as much time outside as possible. Let’s use the winter months for indoor activities and try something new. How about a dance or painting course, guitar lessons or a DJ workshop? Plus point: We can continue to live out a lot of these things outside in the summer, for example dancing salsa in the open air.