What is Blue Monday? We Spaniards fight it with our optimism. Wow! In five days it's Blue Monday! 🙈 Do you know what it is? Blue Monday in Spanish translates as "The Sad Monday" or "The Blue Monday." Does that mean that today in Hispania, a Spanish school
Oh! In five days it is Blue Monday! 🙈
Do you know what it is? Blue Monday in Spanish translates to «sad monday» or «The blue monday».
Does that mean that today Hispania, Spanish school Are we going to be sad? ☹
No, never! One of the characteristics that defines our school and Spaniards in general is the joy.
We tell you what does Blue Monday mean and how we fight it with our positivism.
Also, at the end of the article I will give you some tips to overcome the saddest Monday of the year.
So... brighten that face!
Let's start! 😊
What is Blue Monday? Blue Monday refers to what is considered to be the saddest day of the year.
I guess you understand the definition of sad: it is just the opposite of happy or happy.
How do you know when the saddest day of the year is? How can it be measured?
Sounds like witchcraft, right?
Well no, it is not about witchcraft, but about science. 👨🔬
It turns out there is a mathematical formula that can calculate it.
Using a series of parameters, the cause of Blue Monday and when it occurs is determined exactly.
Are you curious to know this formula to see if you agree with it or not?
Keep reading!
In 2005, Cardiff University professor Cliff Arnall, created this formula, giving rise to the origin of Blue Monday.
The formula contains the following elements: [C+(D-d)]TI / MNa
What strange nomenclatures, right?
Don't worry, you don't need to be an eminence in mathematics to understand it. Each letter is equivalent to one word:
«C» is he weather of the place you live.
"D" represents the debts that we have due to gifts, expenses on dinners and house decorations during Christmas. 🙄
"d" is he money or January salary.
"T" is he past time period since the Three Wise Men left the gifts and went to the East until Blue Monday.
"I" is the time elapsed since the last time we try to remove a bad habit and we didn't get it. 😓
"M" refers to the motivation level to change our bad habits.
«Na» represents the level of need to do something.
According to the previous mathematical formula, it is determined that the Blue Monday is he third monday in january.
Cliff Arnall made the “Sad Monday” equation because the travel agency Sky Travel He asked for it in 2005.
In reality, the agency wanted Cliff to calculate the best days to go on vacation.
Cliff, who in addition to being a professor also worked as a psychologist, thought it would be more interesting to know what was the most depressing day of the year.
In fact, the scientific community itself denies that the Blue Monday formula is true, since it is not based on solid foundations.
cannot be stated Truly the saddest day of the year is Blue Monday.
The most curious thing of all is that Arnall himself joined the movement led by the Canary Islands in 2015. «Stop Blue Monday».
This movement was promoted to break the theory of the "saddest Monday of the year" and promote tourism in the month of January.
Apparently, the creator of the Blue Monday formula paid a visit to the Canary Islands and was amazed by its landscapes, surely thinking that no “Blue Day” could exist there. 😁
That's why he joined the movement that went against his own theory. How paradoxical! TRUE?
Despite everything, it seems that the creator of Blue Monday has a great sense of humor and does not take things too seriously.
The motto of «Stop Blue Monday» was the following:
"Don't let this formula give you permission to laugh or cry... These 24 hours belong to you, don't let anyone take them away from you, not even a certain Cliff Arnall."
However, the Marketing campaigns in fashion and travel They have coined this Blue Monday as the day of sadness all over the world.
People are encouraged to combat depression by going shopping and taking advantage of Blue Monday sales. 😆
If we pay attention to the Blue Monday formula, it is said that the Third Monday in January is the saddest day of the year for the following reasons:
It's the middle of winter and it will most likely be quite cold.
In many places there will also be long periods of clouds and rain during this month.
In mid-January we still have not received our salary.
Therefore, it is possible that Christmas expenses will begin to be felt in our pockets.
It is now when we say:
"Maybe I shouldn't have bought the most expensive Christmas tree."
"I went crazy buying the biggest Nativity scene." 😅
On the date of Blue Monday, Christmas It's just finished.
Saying goodbye to Christmas parties, family gatherings, or big meals can be a bit traumatic.
It is in these moments when we get homesick and the so-called post-vacation syndrome.
We began to realize that some of the New Year's resolutions we wanted to make are unrealistic.
Or we have even already breached them, in just two weeks! 😶🌫️
It may also be that the excesses of Christmas foods and sweets are beginning to show on our love handles.
Many people put on a few pounds at the end of Christmas.
And finally, the simple fact that a year has passed can be a little depressing for everyone.
Has the year 2022 already passed? It was a breeze!
It means that we are a year older and that time does not stand still.
Now that you know the meaning of Blue Monday, do you think it's really a sad day?
Do people stay in their beds curled up and crying, waiting for the damn day to be over?
The truth is that it depends.
In the Nordic countries, it is possible that Blue Monday is a reality due to the very low temperatures and gray days that they usually have in the winter months.
but in Spain, and in coastal cities like Valencia…I don't think it's that big of a deal!
It's not as cold here and the sun comes out more frequently.
In fact, one of the things that surprises our students the most when they come to Valencia is its fabulous climate, even in winter.😎
If you ask a Spaniard if Blue Monday is sad, they most likely won't even know what it is.
Probably, the majority of Spaniards spend the day of Blue Monday in sales January buying clothes and other products.
Although it is true that the idea of converting the Blue Monday in marketing for trade:
«Are you sad about Blue Monday? Come to our stores and have fun taking advantage of our discounts!
Many stores and franchises take the opportunity to offer Blue Monday offers and special discounts.
Another practice that is beginning to spread is the dissemination of Blue Monday phrases motivational through social networks.
It is a kind of collective pep talk that people give to each other to overcome this day.
What do you think of this idea? If you are going to put a motivational phrase of Blue Monday, why not in Spanish?
As I say, we do not believe that the Blue Monday in Spain be too hard for the Spanish.
It's normal be a little down: Christmas is over and… it's Monday! Who isn't demotivated by any Monday? 😆
Now seriously, We Spaniards tend to be optimistic people.
Our way of dealing with somewhat complicated situations is often through jokes and laughter.
We love to laugh at everything, even ourselves!
Furthermore, our sociable character It makes us spend a lot of time with friends or colleagues.
It is very common to meet them after work or classes.
The most typical plan is go to a bar to have some drinks.
Although for the most athletes, there is also the possibility of interacting by practicing some sport.
In Valencia there are many athletics clubs, dance classes, contact sports, gyms...
Playing sports is fun, but if you do it accompanied by people like you, much better!
Do you like the more cultured plans? How to see exhibitions in museums or go to the movies?
Surely you can find someone with the same interests and spend the afternoon of Blue Monday making the plans you like so much in good company.
These are the keys for the Spanish to face Blue Monday, and I would say that the vicissitudes of life in general: the optimism and our sociable character.
If you decide to spend the winter in Spain, you will see how when the Blue Monday You don't even realize. 😉
Are you in Spain and still feel that the sadness of Blue Monday begins to invade you?
Don't worry, I'll give you some tips to get over Blue Monday.
With these five tips you can even spend this "sad day" with joy. 😎
It is scientifically proven that the factor that makes us most happy is having quality social relationships.
I'm talking about quality, not quantity. It is better to have 3 superfriends to whom you can tell everything than 15 colleagues with whom you do not dare to open up.
Dedicate a part of this sad Monday to meet friends, classmates, family or partner.
Chat with them, listen to them, laugh with them... you will see how this day is no longer so difficult for you. 🙌
Do you have any hobby What are you passionate about? On the afternoon of Blue Monday you can take a little time for him.
Hobbies allow us to be totally focused on something and let's disconnect from our problems for a while.
Furthermore, the good thing about hobbies is that they allow develop a skill.
Learning something new is another of the things that brings us the most happiness.
This advice is more personal, since not everyone likes to play sports.
But the truth is that physical activity generates endorphin, dopamine and serotonin, the happiness hormones.
Plus, exercising is perfect for counteract stress of a hard day like Blue Monday.
Perhaps, when seven o'clock at night arrives on January 16 and you get home, you don't feel like doing any of the above:
You don't want to play sports because it's freezing cold outside, or hang out with friends because you feel grumpy, or develop your hobbies because you're lazy.
So what can you do? Lie down on the couch and look at social media?
Well, maybe that's what you need, just disconnect and pass time. But I can think of something better.
If you don't feel like doing anything active and just want to entertain yourself, at least find a entertainment that gives you value or makes you think. Here are some examples:
As you can see, there are many options for good entertainment, instead of spending hours and hours looking at your cell phone.
Learning a language is one of the best things we can do.
It's a new skill that allows you to communicate with people you couldn't before. It is a very rewarding feeling.
And if the language you learn is also Spanish, and you do it in the face-to-face Spanish courses of Hispania, Spanish school, happiness will be guaranteed. 🥳
If you prefer to study with us from home, you can also do so through the online Spanish courses.
The saddest Monday of the year? If you are caught studying Spanish with us, you can be clear that it will not be like that.
As Terminator would say: "See you, Blue Monday."
We have already reached the end of the article. Today you have learned a lot about Blue Monday and its meaning, how we Spaniards face it and also some useful tips to overcome it.
And you? When the time comes for the saddest Monday of the year, do you think it will affect you? What will you do to combat it?
Tell us in Comments. 😉
Article written by Charles Martinez for Hispania, Spanish school
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