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Don't get too upset - it's not really official! But the first Monday of the last full week of January is considered to be the most depressing day of the year.
I was listening to this on NPR's BBC World Service this morning, and it was partially tongue-in-cheek and partially serious.
So why is today considered the year's most depressing?
It comes down to six factors that economists and psychologists study - a lack of motivation, debt, weather, a need to do something about it and post-holiday blues. Experts say it all culminates now - on the last full week of the year and it's always a Monday.
Many point out that it makes sense. Not many of us like Mondays, the weather is dreadful in many parts of the world, the holidays are over and Spring seems like a million years away. Our post-holiday credit card statements are coming in and we need to do something about it all! But how? And how do we get motivated? Much of it is true - the economy is in the tank, people are losing their homes all around us - what's there to be happy about?
Lots of things, when you really think about it.
A new Administration here in the United States will hopefully be the start of better times.
It may be slow going, but the days are getting longer now, and more light in our day is better for all of us.
April showers bring May flowers. Spring may seem far away but you can think of it in terms of less than 10 weeks for an April shower!
What cheers most people up?
Family, friends and exercise, for most.
If you have a job, your health, and a family you love and a few people to call your friends, it's more than what a lot of people have, even if it's harder to see the bigger picture at times.
Human being are resilient. We come back from even the worst circumstances as better, stronger human beings.
So even if today really is the most depressing day of the year - look at it a different way. The most depressing day of the year is half over and it's only January!
Tell Us
Do you find January depressing, in general? Why? Is it the weather, holiday debt coming due, already failed resolutions, or something else? Why do you do to cheer yourself up?
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I've personally always found February depressing. It's kind of an in-between month. Still winter and not spring and the holidays are definitely very behind you. I'm not even a big fan of Valentine's Day -- it seems like you're forced to celebrate a holiday that the card industry created. So I guess I'm not depressed yet, but ask me again in Feb!
January 19, 2009 - 4:55pmThis Comment