Pseudo-science based Blue Monday delivers unintended advantages, expert says

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‘Blue Monday’, the so-called saddest day of the year, falls on Jan. 15 in 2018

(CBC News) — The third Monday of every January has long been crowned the saddest day of the year, but while the science behind the unflattering title has been scoffed at by experts, some say the day has unintended value.

“Blue Monday” was coined in 2005 by Cliff Arnall, a former lecturer at Cardiff University, for a now-defunct U.K-based travel agency as a tactic to sell winter vacations. It has since been adopted as a promotional platform by various companies, for example, Cineplex and Sunwing.

As his proof, Arnall devised a not-so-scientific formula to back up his claim referencing January’s bone-chilling temperatures, the reality checks of post-holiday credit card statements, motivation levels and the ever-persistent battle to stick with New Year resolutions.

But while a 2017 publication by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health says “there is no scientific basis for why the third Monday in January has been deemed Blue Monday,” at least one expert says it might nevertheless have its benefits.

“Anything that can help us to open the dialogue and conversation about mental health can be a positive thing,” CAMH clinical psychologist Dr. Katy Kamkar said. (…)

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