Is January 21 the Most Depressing Day of the Year?

According to British researchers, today, January 21^st, is the unhappiest day of the year.

Failed New Year's resolutions, debt and the weather are all factors in making today "Blue Monday". By this date, most people have given up their New Year's resolutions. The credit card bills from holiday shopping sprees have arrived and are soon due. To make matters worse, weather patterns at this time contribute to making the days of winter seem darker and longer.

All of these depressing factors appear to reach their peak each year on the third Monday in January.

Dr. Cliff Arnall, a psychologist from Cardiff University who specializes in seasonal disorders, created the formula to illustrate his theory. In addition to the weather, debt and failed New Year's resolutions variables such as time since Christmas, monthly salary and need to take actions are also calculated.

Dr. Arnall states, according to Fox News, "Following the initial thrill of New Year's celebrations and changing over a new leaf, reality starts to sink in. The realization coincides with the dark clouds rolling in and the obligation to pay off Christmas credit card bills."

Today could also be a good day to take public transportation. Research conducted on British drivers by Privilege Insurance shows that people suffering from the effects of seasonal depression and lethargy may also have their driving ability affected.

The point to understanding and identifying these factors is to prevent becoming as unhappy next year. In an interview with London's Daily Mail, Arnall tells us to "Use the day as a springboard for a higher quality life. For example keeping Christmas spending to a strict budget next year will make you less depressed in the last week of January. Also, decide on changing behavior, such as giving up smoking, eating better, exercising more and getting that new job."

In another survey, respondents said they could feel better by having something to look forward to, as well as by taking concrete action to reduce the feelings of sadness. These include reducing debt, paying down their mortgage and achieving financial security. Those who looked forward to the future cited optimism about improving their quality of life, retiring or reducing their work hours.

Is it inevitable then, that everyone is going to have a bad day today? Not necessarily, according to Dr. Alan Cohen, a spokesperson for the Royal College of Practitioners. There are a number of different causes for depression, he says. "It may be something about one's personality, genes or external events. For those who suffer from external events, [today] would be the most depressing day,"

So for those who are not affected by external events, today should be just like any other.