Last updated: October 2026
Blue Monday is the third Monday in January, which falls on 18 January in 2027. It’s billed as the most depressing day of the year, but the idea came from a 2005 travel company PR campaign, not science. January blues are real for many people, though, and daylight, movement, company and a money plan all help.
Below: where Blue Monday came from, why January can feel hard, 10 practical ways to lift the January blues, and when low mood needs more support.
When is Blue Monday 2027?
| Year | Blue Monday |
|---|---|
| 2027 | Monday 18 January |
| 2028 | Monday 17 January |
It’s usually given as the third Monday in January, around the time Christmas feels long gone, payday still feels far away and New Year resolutions start to slip.
Is Blue Monday real?
No, not as a scientific fact. The “formula” was produced in 2005 for a travel company’s press campaign to encourage people to book holidays. It combined things like weather, debt, time since Christmas and motivation, which can’t be meaningfully measured or added together. Scientists have dismissed it, and mental health charities point out that low mood can strike on any day.
Calling one day “the most depressing” can also be unhelpful, because it can make people who struggle all winter feel dismissed. That’s why Samaritans rebranded it as Brew Monday (see below).
Why January can feel hard
- Short, dark days. Less daylight affects sleep, energy and mood, especially in the UK.
- Money. A long gap between December and January paydays, plus Christmas spending.
- The post-Christmas dip. After weeks of socialising, routines go back to normal overnight.
- Resolutions. Big, all-or-nothing goals can leave you feeling you’ve failed by mid-month.
- Winter bugs and spending more time indoors.
10 ways to beat the January blues
- Get outside in daylight, ideally in the morning, even when it’s grey. A 20-minute walk counts.
- Keep a regular wake time. It anchors your body clock and makes dark mornings easier. See how to fall asleep fast.
- Move most days. Walking, swimming or a class: whatever you’ll actually do.
- Make a money plan for the rest of the month, so the payday gap feels manageable.
- See people. Book one thing a week to look forward to, even a coffee.
- Shrink your resolutions to small, specific habits, such as “a 10-minute walk after lunch”.
- Take vitamin D. The NHS advises everyone to consider 10 micrograms a day from October to March. Vitamin D contributes to the normal function of the immune system. See vitamin D in winter.
- Go easy on alcohol. It worsens sleep and low mood. See Dry January.
- Eat regular meals with plenty of fruit, vegetables and protein, and keep a warm, comforting evening ritual.
- Plan some light: a weekend away, a day trip or just brighter lamps at home.
For more ideas, see winter blues and the winter arc.
Brew Monday: a better idea
Samaritans say there’s no such thing as Blue Monday and that feeling low isn’t tied to one day. Instead, they encourage Brew Monday: making time for a cuppa and a catch-up with someone. Message a friend, invite a colleague for a tea, or call someone who might be finding winter tough. A warm drink and a proper chat do more than any formula.
January blues or seasonal affective disorder?
| January blues | Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) | |
|---|---|---|
| How it feels | Flat, tired, less motivated | Persistent low mood, loss of interest, sleeping much more, craving carbohydrates |
| How long | Comes and goes; lifts with plans and light | Returns each autumn or winter and lasts for weeks or months |
| Effect on life | Mild | Affects work, relationships and daily life |
| What helps | The tips above | See your GP: talking therapies, light therapy or medication can help |
When to get help
Speak to your GP if low mood lasts more than 2 weeks or is affecting your daily life. In England you can refer yourself to NHS Talking Therapies. If you need to talk to someone now, Samaritans are free on 116 123, day or night. See also World Mental Health Day for more ways to look after your mental health.
FAQs
When is Blue Monday 2027?
Monday 18 January 2027, the third Monday in January.
Is Blue Monday real?
No. It came from a 2005 travel company PR campaign, and its formula isn’t scientific. Low mood in January is real for many people, though.
Why is it called Blue Monday?
“Feeling blue” means feeling sad, and the campaign claimed the third Monday in January was the gloomiest day of the year.
What is Brew Monday?
Samaritans’ alternative to Blue Monday, encouraging people to share a cuppa and a catch-up with someone who might be struggling.
How do I beat the January blues?
Get daylight and movement every day, keep a regular wake time, see people, plan your money and keep resolutions small.
Sources
- Samaritans. Brew Monday.
- NHS. Seasonal affective disorder (SAD).
- NHS. Vitamin D.
- NHS. 5 steps to mental wellbeing.
This guide is general information, not medical advice. Evopure makes the Evolabs Mint CBD Oil with vitamin D3 and the Reishi Mushroom Adaptogenic Complex.
