Next Monday (19th January) will allegedly be the most depressing day of the year: Blue Monday. Developed by Cardiff psychologist Cliff Arnail in 2005, it’s a psychosocial framework to identify and explain a confluence of factors contributing to low mood and psychological distress typically observed in mid to late January.
It even has its own formula:
Where:
- W = Weather/Light exposure (– less light = low mood)
- D-d = Debt minus ability to pay (more people seek debt advice when the cost of Christmas is realised)
- T = Time since Christmas (rebound after festivities, post-holiday ‘let-down)
- Q = Failed quit attempts (New Year’s resolutions) (impact of failed resolutions = increased feelings of inadequacies, hopes dashed)
- M = Motivational levels (reduced energy and motivation linked to seasonal disruption/reduced daylight/cold weather/hibernation instinct)
- NA = Need to take action (perceived gap between intended behavioural change and actual behaviour = psychological discomfort)
So, as Christians, what can we do to minimise these effects?
Remember:
- Jesus is our Light – let’s put more of Him in our lives
- Jesus has paid our debt for sin which we had no ability to pay, in full, now and always
- We can look forward to Easter when we celebrate why we have Christmas
- We are sinful and we fail but God forgives and grants us new starts.
- Keep encouraging each other and holding onto God’s promises to keep motivated.
- Keep reviewing the action we need to take to show God’s love to our communities and celebrate every encouragement, knowing that God cares and has the power to see us through and bring us home.
Happy Monday!