Blue Monday IS a Myth
January Is a Season to Rest, Reset and Reconnect
Every January, headlines warn us about Blue Monday - labelled the “saddest day of the year.” But here’s the truth: Blue Monday is not a scientifically proven phenomenon. It was originally framed in 2005 as part of a marketing campaign for Sky Travel, not mental health research - and it doesn’t define your emotional experience.
Instead of bracing for one gloomy day, what if we reframed the whole month with intention and care?
At Moco Coaching, we see January as a unique opportunity - a season to rest, reset and start meaningfully, not a countdown to low mood or performance pressure. This perspective reflects our approach to wellbeing all year long.
Blue Monday: Myth vs. Reality
🔹 Blue Monday was created as a catchy media narrative, not based on clinical evidence.
🔹 Mood and mental wellbeing don’t follow a single calendar date.
🔹 What can feel real in January is the weight of:
Post-holiday fatigue
Short daylight hours
Financial pressure after festive spending
Ambitious New Year expectations
These seasonal pressures exist, but they don’t have to define your experience.
Why January Can Feel Challenging - But Also Powerful
Rather than chasing a headline about sadness, it helps to notice what really influences wellbeing:
Light and Sleep
Winter’s short days can affect energy and circadian rhythms.
Expectations vs. Reality
Social media and productivity culture often push us toward unrealistic goals right as the body is still recovering from winter breaks.
Mental Load
Cumulative stress, unresolved tasks and personal pressures don’t disappear with the calendar flip - they resurface.
But here’s the Moco perspective:
👉 January isn’t about rushing into transformation - it’s about grounding first.
👉 Your system needs restoration before it can sustain growth.
👉 Where many see “slump,” we see preparation.
Reframing January: Rest, Reset and Start Meaningfully
In our recent post Rest, Reset and Reconnect: How to Approach January with Intention, we shared how January can be a foundation month - a chance to:
✔ Understand how you’re feeling physically and emotionally
✔ Enjoy small restorative rituals like mindful moments or gentle walks
✔ Reflect on the past year - what worked and what didn’t
✔ Break goals into truly sustainable, intentional steps
✔ Celebrate process over pressure
This reframing makes the whole month richer and more humane.
Practical Ways to Support Your Wellbeing This January
Instead of bracing for “Blue Monday,” try these MOCO-centred habits:
Be Present Over Pressured
Focus on how you feel today, not what January should look like.
Prioritise Light and Movement
Even short walks in daylight can boost mood and energy.
Connect With Others
Reaching out - even with a quick check-in - supports emotional balance.
Build Space for Rest
Rest isn’t laziness - it’s recovery essential for resilience.
Set Intentional Goals
Start with micro-steps that build confidence and momentum over time, not in a single burst.
These practices aren’t hard “tasks” - they’re supportive rhythms that build strength, not stress.
For Leaders and Workplaces: A More Compassionate January
Organisations can also reframe this period by:
✔ Normalising wellbeing conversations
✔ Avoiding pressure-only messaging (e.g., “hit your targets by the 7th”)
✔ Encouraging flexible rhythms, micro-breaks and connection time
✔ Modelling vulnerability and recovery as performance drivers
A human-centred culture doesn’t start in March - it begins with the small moments in January.
The MOCO Coaching Takeaway
Blue Monday isn’t a reality - it’s a narrative.
But how you feel in January is real and so are the pressures many experience at this time of year.
Rather than waiting for a “saddest day,” choose a practice of presence, rest and intention.
January becomes less about fear and more about foundation - the groundwork for health, resilience and meaningful progress.
👉 If you haven’t already, check out our latest post:
Rest, Reset and Reconnect: How to Approach January with Intention.