Blue Monday?

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It is called the most depressing day of the year; Blue Monday, this year on
January 20. The gray weather, the short days, good intentions that have gone awry, and the summer vacation that is still a long way off... quite a few factors that can significantly influence your mood. But where does the term 'Blue Monday' actually come from?

Smartly devised
Reportedly, in 2005, British psychologist Cliff Arnall was commissioned by a travel agency to come up with something to boost the sale of sun vacations in the winter months. He came up with Blue Monday, now an annual recurring phenomenon on the third Monday of January. The day when most people would feel gloomy. Arnall pretended there was plenty of scientific evidence for the existence of Blue Monday, he even created an accompanying scientific formula, but it turned out to be mainly a clever marketing ploy.

Lack of sunlight
Although a real 'Blue Monday' does not exist, there are indeed people who struggle with depression or sadness in the winter. The lack of sunlight and therefore the production of melatonin, serotonin, and vitamin D likely play an important role in this. These are all substances that affect your mood and sleep.

Extra support?
Especially if you know that you are sensitive to sadness in the winter months, it is extra important to take good care of yourself. Sufficient exercise, healthy eating, you probably know what to do. 

If you feel the need for some extra support to find balance, then consider contacting an acupuncturist.
An acupuncturist can help you regulate your hormone balance and bring relaxation to your mind and body. As a result, you can sleep better, have more energy, and be better equipped to handle any gloomy moods!