Blue Monday: The bleak comedown after Christmas

By Maya Tailor, Second Year, English

The festive season, for many of us, is a joyous time filled with family, food, and togetherness. During this season of cheer, the darkening days and winter blues are, for a brief moment, forgotten, amongst the excitement of Christmas. As the days meld into one, the holidays mark a well- deserved period of indulgence and relaxation to round off the year. But as the new year commences, so does reality. 

The National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) suggests that workload pressures, financial pressures and the transition from home to university are all factors that can lead to poor mental health amongst students. When taking into account the bitter weather and the financial aftermath of Christmas, January can come as a challenge to many students. 

‘I think January is always a harder month than others. Because I’ve become a lot more aware of how this affects me, I actively try to do things to help'

One particular day is especially challenging for some; known as Blue Monday, it falls on the third Monday of the year and is often seen as ‘the most depressing day of the year’. This year it falls on 20th January. It was coined in 2004 by psychologist Cliff Arnall, after he was approached by company Sky Travel to devise a formula to help companies improve their summer holiday sales during the winter months. It considered seven different variables: weather, debt, monthly salary, time since Christmas, time since failing New Year's resolutions, low motivational levels, and the need to take action.

Whilst this claims to offer a scientific explanation for January’s bleakness, the notion of a ‘Blue Monday’ has been refuted by experts, being referred to as ‘meaningless’ and ‘sensationalist nonsense’, with Arnall himself calling his own formula a pseudoscience. However, this does not negate the hardships students face upon their return to university. Whilst no data explicitly states that Blue Monday is the saddest day of year, there is no denying that January can serve as a reminder of the struggles that young people face at university across the academic year.

Epigram spoke to students across the university in order to understand how they felt about the concept of Blue Monday, and whether or not they find January to be a particularly difficult time. For Geography student Eliza, Blue Monday is not a day that she pays particular attention to.

‘It isn’t really on my radar. January as a whole is often pretty boring and cold and definitely less exciting than other times of the year. So, in my eyes, one specific Monday isn’t really that much worse off or different than the whole month.’ The impact of the weather can impact mood and motivation, with those between the ages of 16 and 24 three times more likely to be diagnosed with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). This statistic reiterates the ways in which students may be more susceptible to poor mental health at this time of year.

However, English student Leah regarded Blue Monday as somewhat uplifting, suggesting that: ‘In a way, it’s a sort of milestone in that if we can survive Blue Monday, it’s supposed to be up from there’. This optimistic view suggests that looking ahead to better days can ease the worries that students may be feeling around this time.

One thing that may be worrying students, especially in the aftermath of Christmas, is finances. Law and French student Eluned explains her view: ‘Even students who have been lucky enough to go home to warm and caring families will have had to spend money on Christmas gifts, socialising with home friends and transportation to and from home.’

‘Above all, students who weren’t fortunate enough to go home over Christmas will have had to spend money on bills, food, and upkeep throughout the break’ Eluned explained. A survey conducted by the National Union of Students found that 92% of surveyed students found the cost of living to be impacting their mental health. For many students, the financial recovery of Christmas only exacerbates the difficulties that they face at university.

‘The anxious feeling is being minimised as this new term will lead to new experiences, which I am excited about’.

January also brings with it the new academic term. In February 2024, the University of Bristol announced that all assessments would take place before the Christmas holidays. Although this removes the anxiety and dread that come with January assessments, the impending feeling of returning to academia can be a worry for some. Medical student Rijul opens up about this feeling when speaking to Epigram: ‘I am a little anxious about starting TB2 as the workload is going to increase and I have an important exam coming up at the end of the term.’

However, he adds a sense of optimism, explaining that ‘the anxious feeling is being minimised as this new term will lead to new experiences, which I am excited about’. Despite the difficulties that January brings, it is crucial that students continue to find ways to remain optimistic about the new year. 

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Leah offers us advice that has helped her in the past: ‘I think January is always a harder month than others. Because I’ve become a lot more aware of how this affects me, I actively try to do things to help such as go outside, make sure I chat to people and have plans to look forward to.’ Making sure you look after your mental health this January is necessary to ease the hardships that the new year may present. Taking advantage of the sunlight, exercising, and reconnecting with societies are just a few of the ways you can look after yourself both in the coming weeks and throughout the year.

Regardless of whether Blue Monday resonates deeply with you, there is no denying that there are a multitude of challenges facing students upon their return to university in January. With a long way to go before the days get longer and the weather gets warmer, it can be easy to succumb to the post-Christmas blues. It is important to remember that the heightened anxieties at this time of year do not mean that the rest of the year will follow suit. Looking out for one another and focusing on the positive aspects that university has to offer are essential in overcoming the January blues.

Featured Image: Epigram / Jess Cohen

How are you feeling at this time of the year?