Companies are offering their employees days off, gift vouchers or access to interest-free loans to help them cope with “Blue Monday”.
Today – the third Monday in January – is considered the most depressing day of the year, with people feeling the pinch of a very long period between payday, culminating with the end of the holidays and the cold weather.
The term was first coined by psychologist Dr Cliff Arnall in 2004 after he allegedly invented the darkest day formula to help a travel company sell holidays.
While many psychologists consider there to be no scientific credibility to support it, the term has stuck ever since.
Data provided to Money by WorldPay shows that travel spending increased by 37% on Blue Monday last year, compared to the previous week.
The total value of online payments also increased, increasing by 7%.
Pete Wickes, Managing Director of EMEA Business at Worldpay, said: “While retail events like Black Friday may be better known, Blue Monday is gaining ground as a notable date in the calendar sectors such as the travel industry.
“Marketed well, these events are opportunities for retailers to kick off the year, while for shoppers, they represent a way to beat the January blues with a little discretionary spending.”
Despite multimillionaires criticize British workforce obsessed with work-life balance last week, several companies launched initiatives for their employees to deal with the January blues.
James Thurlow-Craig, Managing Director of Create designshas already given his team Blue Monday off, but this year he has an activity planned for his team: they are going to blow glass.
Part of the Create Designs team
“The team was joking internally that, as a team building activity, they would like to take a team “school trip” somewhere for the day. They wanted something where we took a day off to do something fun but slightly educational,” he said.
“On a professional level, over the last 13 years, we have really seen the positive impact on the business when the team is motivated and generally happy. So we make sure to organize trips and activities whenever we can to recognize their hard work. .”
Sophie Rhône, owner of Cupid PR, went further by offering all her employees a day off to recover.
“We are strong advocates for maintaining work-life balance, especially after my 10 years working at a global agency, where I witnessed first-hand how quickly burnout can set in, especially at the end of the first trimester,” she said.
“We have decided to pay all of our contractors and freelancers while closed for the day as a thank you for their hard work. This initiative aims to help them recharge and avoid burnout, thus promoting a happier and more productive team in the long term.
Sophie Rhône
In Leeds, London, Manchester and Edinburgh, PrettyGreen staff will receive a £50 gift voucher to spend on “something that will give them an endorphin boost”.
CEO Jessica Hargreaves Paczek also gave her employees an early payday and access to a £1,000 interest-free loan “no questions asked”.
“We are unsure of the impact Blue Monday will have on our staff, as it is against our company values to ask intrusive personal questions. But we know that January means feeling down,” she said.
“We regularly consult with our team to understand what will bring them the most value. So, our January wellness and Blue Monday initiatives are based on what the team has found most effective for their wellbeing over the past few years.
Staff can also access mental health counseling, online gym classes and nutritional advice throughout January.
Jessica Hargreaves Paczek
How does Blue Monday affect people’s moods and what can you do to combat it?
New research from Mental Health First Aid England has found that only 17% of employees feel motivated to go to work every day.
One in ten employees say they never feel inspired by their work, and less than a quarter feel enthusiastic on a daily basis.
Combined with a period of winter blues, January can prove to be a month where more people are feeling depressed, tired, irritable and stressed.
Dr Phil Clarke, senior lecturer in psychology at the University of Derby, highlighted that depression is “a much more distressing and longer-term condition than one key day”.
“Instead of being pessimistic in January, it can be an exciting and optimistic month for people. This is an opportunity to start fresh,” he said.
Learn more:
TikTok begins to restore service
“I was overpaid – can I keep the money?”
The silent war that the perfume industry doesn’t tell you about
Here are some of his suggestions to help you:
Strive to achieve your New Year’s resolutions
If you’re having trouble sticking to your New Year’s resolutions, he advises revisiting them and reevaluating areas where you could make small changes to help you achieve your goals.
Get Out and Exercise
Exercise helps release endorphins in the brain, known as “happy chemicals,” he said.
“You may feel tired and sore immediately after training, but you will mentally feel more positive, happy and experience a mental high.
“Regular exercise helps reduce stress and feelings of anxiety, boosts your self-esteem and makes it easier to sleep. So stay active.
Spend time with friends and family
“It costs nothing financially and can instantly help you feel better by putting a big smile on your face,” Clarke added.
“Positive psychology shows that counting your blessings and being mindful of the good things in your life can lead to improvements in mood and well-being.”
Try a hobby or volunteer
Dr Clarke said starting a new activity or volunteering could help.
“Besides taking care of yourself, there is nothing better than the feeling of helping others. If you have some free time, check out volunteering opportunities in your area and lend a helping hand to those who need it,” he added.