Blue Monday

In the blink of an eye, we’ve already made it through the first two weeks of the year. The holidays and festivities are over; we’re all back to our routines, work, and school, and we’re starting those habits and resolutions that we were so excited about on New Year’s Eve.

But have you ever thought about what comes after this rush of celebrations, commitments, family gatherings, parties, meetups with friends, Christmas, and New Year’s? Of course, everything that goes up must eventually come down and return to normal—what we call getting back to the daily grind.

We want you to know that you aren’t the only one in the world who feels this way, and that there is something called "Blue Monday," which refers to the third Monday in January, known as "the most depressing day of the year."

This concept was created in 2005 by Cliff Arnall, a British psychologist. His theory is based on equations that include factors like the cold, dark winter weather, debt accumulated after the holidays, the time that has passed since Christmas, and a lack of personal motivation.

Although many scientists criticize his theory for a lack of scientific rigor and evidence, it is a concept currently linked to Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), which affects some people during the winter due to less exposure to sunlight during this season.

TheBlue Monday lacks a scientific basis, which means it isn't necessarily a formula or rule for human behavior, but rather a collection of factors that can influence how we feel during this return to our routines.

What is essential is to pay attention to symptoms of depression and seek professional support. These symptoms can manifest in the following ways:

•  Persistent feelings of emptiness, sadness, or hopelessness.
•  Loss of interest in activities that used to be enjoyable.
• Feelings of excessive guilt.
• Anxiety or irritability.
• Difficulty concentrating or making decisions.
• Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide.
• Loss of energy.
• Changes in appetite.
• Sleep disturbances.
• Social isolation.
• Reduced performance at work or school.  

Over the last half-century, the highest suicide rates have been recorded in South Korea, Japan, South Africa, and Estonia, while the lowest have been in the Philippines, Brazil, Mexico, and Paraguay.

Being among the countries with the lowest statistics for this situation does not mean we should be any less aware of our own behavior or that of those around us, as depression can affect both men and women, being more prevalent in men and people under 64 years of age.

It has been proven across all countries that Mondays present a higher risk of suicide, as it is the first day of the week, with two out of every ten cases occurring on this day compared to others.

Unfortunately, the current pace of life has forced us to live in a rush in every aspect, which creates greater pressure and stress, both socially and professionally. An overload of responsibilities can amplify feelings of discouragement, and when combined with internal and external factors, can affect a person's well-being.

It is crucial to remember that managing stress and emotional well-being should not depend on just one day; the key lies in implementing healthy habits into our daily lives. Taking breaks, unplugging, and enjoying pleasant activities, living in the present—from having a cup of coffee in the morning to taking a walk in nature, watching a sunset, or spending quality time with friends and family—are all actions that contribute to better mental health.

See you soon.