Since 2005, the 3rd Monday of January has been ear-marked, the most depressing day of the year, hello “Blue Monday”!

According to Psychologist, Cliff Arnall’s “calculations”, he seems think there are various reasons for this day;

  • Lack of daylight resulting in a Vitamin D deficiency. 
  • For a few weeks during the Christmas / New Year’s holiday season we tend to GORGE ourselves on high carb foods and then diet, drastically cutting out carbs, causing our serotonin levels to plummet. 
  • Increased debt loads we place on ourselves, trying to out-do Christmas’ of year’s gone by.  
  • and more….

Some say this is hogwash, others are glad for the attention on the severity of depression, most probably don’t even notice or even care. Either way… I do think there is some truth to the point Mr Arnall was trying to make. Whether it is increased on one particular day verses another has yet to be proven by a scientific study not sponsored by a travel company… oi!

* There is truth to increased depression due to environmental causes like less sunshine. Our bodies do need a certain amount of Vitamin D, which occurs naturally from the sun. I’ve always been a big believer in supplements, so I increase my Vitamin D intake during the winter months. Lower B12 levels in your body can also cause mood instability. I try to remember to take my B12/B6 sublingual plus a Vitamin D supplement daily.

* There is truth to increased depression due to what we put into our bodies. Studies have shown that people on high-protein/low-carb diets complained more about feeling depressed. What do we tend to do after the holiday binge eating is over?… We diet! Did you know that cutting out or lowering your carbs {good carbs}, you actually lower your serotonin levels. Low serotonin levels cause people to be irritable, anxious and depressed. Watch what you eat, do some research of your own on foods {I’ve always had a great Homeopathic Doctor & Chiropractor who help me out} and in my opinion… eating a healthy, balanced meal is 100x’s better than any diet out there.

* There is truth to increased depression due to the stress caused by the amount of debt we have. Overspending {not just at Christmas but it tends to be over the top at that time of the year}… bills piling up… creditors calling… it can become unbearable very quick. The feeling that everything is going to cave in, grows. Trapped. Desperate. Hopeless. You need to get a strategy together and face this head on, or else it will destroy you. Develop a budget! Contact your creditors instead of avoiding them. Make an appointment with a credit counselor or in my life-long experience, a credit union – there is no shame in asking for help!

Depression isn’t a “state of mind” – there are all sorts of contributions, internally and externally that we need to be aware of. The effects of depression are serious and it affects everyone around you. If you are feeling overwhelmed but it’s lasting longer than the usual sadness, please see your family physician and get the help you need.

Shash

I'm the Cool Mom of 4, Married to the Preacher Man, but at times I'm a little more Sass than Saint!

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14 Comments

  1. omg. so soooo true.
    it's also 'divorce season' too. YIKES.
    (((hugs)))

  2. Wow. So true! Thanks so much for sharing this. What an eye-opening post. I'll certainly be sharing this on FB and Twitter. xoxo

  3. People get depressed for so many reasons. It's a shame that society still has this stigma about it. Holiday time is another time for increased depression as well.

  4. I get so upset when I hear people say that depression is a "state of mind" – it definitely isn't!

    Thanks for reminding me of this – it is so true that this time of year is often difficult!

  5. well said dear friend, well said.

  6. OK, first I never found out what happened with your hair the other day. How much fell out?

    I def. feel depression in January. I am sure for me it is a lack of sunshine and warmth. I always think I would benefit from one of those lamps. Luckily, this winter has been very kind so far and I'm not feeling it too much. But, I will admit I would much rather not go anywhere and just stay at home.

  7. I clicked blog this so I could share it on my blog..I hope thats cool with you. Great blog topic.

  8. Great post with great suggestions! Thanks for the reminder to take my vitamins. I am SO good at making sure the kids take their multi-vitamin and their Vitamin D but I always forget to take it myself.

  9. Great post! I never heard of Blue Monday until today and actually googled it myself to find out what it was. Quite interesting.

  10. I totally agree with his theory. It all bubbles up to that day give or take. For me, whether it be the antidepressants I take or the sun tan I had the other day (guilty I know) I've been feeling pretty good. I usually hit a low this time of year though too.

  11. This is a good reminder for those feeling low today that it is NORMAL, lots of us do!

    I've been feeling great lately, attitude-wise (not that I get severely depressed, but it can hit me like anyone else this time of year). I think taking my multi-vitamins and B12 and Vitamin D more regularly lately has really helped with my overall mood and energy levels. The fairly mild and sunny January we've had so far has helped too, it hasn't been as depressing weather-wise as some winters could be!

  12. I've never heard of this too. Thanks for sharing. I have heard January is pretty bad for suicides. 🙁 Depressions is an illness, many people don't understand that.

  13. Great Post Shannon. Most people still don't see depression as a serious thing. It is in my family,all my brothers and sisters have battled it, my mom too. I am the only one who seems to be wired a different way. For that I am thankful because I see what they have gone through and it's hard enough to manage depression, but add how most people don't think it is a problem, well it only make it worse. Feel better!

  14. It's never easy in the winter….I'm so aware of taking vitamins, it really helps

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