Blue Monday 2024. The truth behind "the most depressing day of the year"

The concept of Blue Monday gained traction at the outset of the 21st century. From its inception, it stirred controversy and its believability has been frequently disputed. Nevertheless, the notion of "the most depressing day" of the year continues to intrigue people.

Initially, Blue Monday was identified as the Monday kicking off the last whole week of January. Nonetheless, since 2011, it has been recognized as the third Monday of the first month of the year. Thus, Blue Monday in 2024 will be on January 15.

The selection of Blue Monday's date stems from an algorithm based on several variables linked to meteorological, psychological, and economic factors. When inputted into a particular formula, these elements theoretically enable the determination of the Blue Monday date.

Cliff Arnall, the initiator of the term Blue Monday, has faced his share of criticism. The concept has been condemned as pseudoscience due to the obscurity of Arnall's assumptions and calculations. "Arnall himself admitted in 2018 that the formula for Blue Monday was a product of his imagination, insinuating that the claim about the most depressing day is fallacious. According to Fakt, Arnall disclosed that he crafted the idea for Blue Monday when he was commissioned to create an advertisement for the Sky Travel agency."

Despite this, the phrase Blue Monday has garnered global popularity, which is why it captivates attention annually.