How to Beat Blue Mondays

Was it harder than usual to get up today? Are you feeling a little lackluster at work? Don't worry. The whole world is in the same boat, according to Cardiff University's Cliff Arnall. The third Monday of January is always the year's most depressing day. He calls it "Blue Monday."

Arnall invented a formula taking into account six immediately identifiable factors: weather, debt, time since Christmas, time since failing new year's resolutions, low motivational levels, and the feeling of a need to take action. He found that all these things come to a head on the third Monday of the year. Websites have sprung up around the concept, including Bluemonday.org and Beatbluemonday.org.uk.

It's estimated that about 10 million Americans suffer from depression every year, Polly Rost, clinical director of Rost and Associates, a psychology clinic was quoted as saying in the York Daily Record. But that number could be even higher this year, due to the unemployment situation. And regardless of whether or not Blue Monday truly exists, this time of year, especially considering the weather in so many places, is particularly hard on people in the Northern Hemisphere.