This Monday, January 20, is considered the saddest day of the year, dubbed Blue Monday in 2005. This designation originated from a mathematical formula devised by psychologist Cliff Arnall, although its true origin is attributed to a marketing campaign by an airline company. Arnall took into account climatic and economic variables to place this gloomy day on the calendar.
The best way to face sadness is through the conscious attitude of living in the now.
Although the Blue Monday concept itself is considered pseudoscience due to a lack of methodological principles, many people experience a specific sadness during January. This emotion is explained by the convergence of the end of the festive season, the onset of cold winter, and the traditional economic pressure of the post-holiday period.
The online psychology platform TherapyChat describes sadness as a basic emotion that does not always imply serious problems, but which must be recognized and managed. Among the 9 tips offered to combat it, they highlight the importance of maintaining contact with loved ones through video calls and visualizing exciting moments during the day.
Other strategies include connecting with the present through sensations (such as the feel of clean sheets or walking barefoot), dressing in cheerful colors to stimulate mood, and fostering the habit of going for walks and breathing fresh air.
Finally, experts suggest practicing gratitude, using humor as a filter to view life, and utilizing writing as a therapeutic tool. It is also crucial not to judge one's own feelings or the time it takes to overcome sorrow.
