The party playlists are over, the leftovers are gone, and the to-do list is back with a vengeance. If your office feels a little heavier in January, you’re not imagining it. Here is what Blue Monday means, when it falls, and some easy ideas to make that first stretch of the year feel lighter at work.
Understanding the Saddest Day of the Year
What is Blue Monday? Blue Monday is a pop-culture label for a Monday in January, most often the third Monday, that is said to be the gloomiest day of the year. It is not a medical term, and it is not an established scientific fact.
Blue Monday meaning: the idea that winter weather, post-holiday bills, and a return to routine all pile up on one particular Monday, creating a uniquely low point for mood and motivation.
Where it came from: a 2005 press release from UK travel company Sky Travel, which promoted a “formula” credited to a psychologist. Scientists criticized the formula almost immediately, and it is widely viewed as a marketing campaign rather than peer-reviewed research.
When is Blue Monday? Usually reported as the third Monday of January. That means it always lands between January 15 and January 21, so it moves a little each year. A few sources point to a different Monday, so treat the exact date as a rough guide rather than a fixed fact, and double-check the current year’s calendar before you plan anything.
Why talk about it at all? Some mental health charities have used the day as a prompt to get people talking about how they feel, and plenty of workplaces use it as a lighthearted excuse for something fun.
Even if one “saddest day of the year” does not really exist, the feeling behind it is familiar. After a flurry of winter parties and New Year’s toasts, it is time to get back to work. You might be missing the long weekends, the pumpkin-spice lattes, and the plethora of leftover baked goods, with a tighter waistband and a lighter wallet to match. That is the real opportunity for a workplace: a small, low-pressure reason to do something kind and fun for the team. Plan a few of the ideas below around the third Monday of January, or any slow Monday that needs a boost.
Creating a Positive Atmosphere
Small changes to the space can change how a Monday feels. Natural light, a few plants, and a bit of personality on the walls go a long way, and none of it needs a big budget. For more inspiration, see 6 Cool Office Decor Ideas to Make Your Workspace Instagrammable.
- Let in the light. Open blinds, move desks toward windows where you can, and pull the break room table into the sunniest spot.
- Add some greenery. A few low-maintenance desk plants brighten a winter office without much upkeep.
- Refresh the walls. Swap out holiday decor for something upbeat, like motivational quotes or team photos.
Tip 1: Declare it slippers day
Where it is safe and allowed, let everyone swap their shoes for slippers. No flats, dress shoes, heels, or sneakers for the day. Anyone who needs protective footwear for their job should keep it on and can join in some other way. At the end of the day, give out award certificates to the weirdest, funniest, fluffiest, and cutest footwear.
Team-Building Activities
Team-building does not have to mean trust falls. Short, optional activities that get people laughing together work best. For more ideas, see 7 Office Bonding Activities – That Aren’t Lame.
Tip 2: Take a company field trip
If you have a small workforce, rent a big van and head off site for a rejuvenating afternoon of team building. Work in groups to complete a scavenger hunt at a zoo, park, or the mall.
Tip 3: Do a lunch-break show and tell
Remember how cool it was to bring a favorite object from home to show off to your classmates in elementary school? Revive that. Everyone will be curious to see your collection of Garbage Pail Kids cards from the 1980s.
Easy icebreaker: ask each person to share one small thing they are looking forward to this month.
Quick team challenge: a 15-minute trivia round or a desk-decorating contest, with the winning team getting bragging rights.
Encouraging Open Communication
January can bring a lot of pressure at once: new goals, new budgets, and a pile of work waiting after the holidays. A friendly check-in shows people you notice and care, and it costs nothing.
- Start Monday’s meeting with a quick round. Ask each person for one word that describes how their week is starting. Let anyone pass.
- Keep it voluntary. Nobody should be pressured to share more than they want to.
- Make it easy to talk privately. Managers can say they are available for one-on-one chats, and can remind the team about any support or wellness resources your workplace already offers.
- Listen first. Thank people for being open, and follow up on anything that is within your power to fix, like a heavy workload or an unclear deadline.
Blue Monday is a pop-culture idea, so please do not treat it as a way to diagnose anyone. If a team member seems to be struggling for a longer stretch, encourage them to talk with a doctor or a qualified mental health professional.
Incorporating Fun Breaks
Short, silly breaks help people reset between tasks. A few minutes of laughter and a change of pace can make a long Monday easier to get through.
Tip 4: Tell jokes all day
Do you have an office intercom system? Grab a cheesy children’s joke book and every hour tell a wacky knock-knock or Q&A joke. Your staff can’t help but laugh, or sigh, but at least they are smiling.
Tip 5: Make Monday meetings goofy
Do you spend a lot of time in the boardroom on Mondays? Bring in a collection of comical hats (sombreros, derby hats, or dunce cones) and require all speakers to wear hats. No talking unless you have a hat on!
Tip 6: Dress in mismatched clothes
Let your staff put together the most outrageous clothing combos for the work day. Sure, a striped polo shirt goes with plaid golf pants and hiking boots. Don’t forget to get some office selfies for social media, if everyone is comfortable with that!
A quiet option works too. Not everyone wants a party. Offer a 10-minute walk or a few minutes of quiet time as an alternative.
Healthy Snacks and Treats
Food is a simple, popular way to say thank you. The trick is mixing something indulgent with something that keeps energy steady, so no one hits a mid-afternoon crash.
Tip 7: Schedule a potluck lunch
Ask everyone to whip up their favorite recipe from the holiday season and relive it all just one more time. You can never have too much spiced cider, right? Encourage a few lighter dishes, like soups, salads, or fruit, alongside the comfort food.
Tip 8: Have lunch catered to the office
Is there a new little eatery down the road everyone has been dying to try? Surprise the staff with takeout from the restaurant, including dessert! Ask about dietary needs ahead of time so everyone can enjoy it.
Tip 9: Set up a sip-and-snack bar
In the afternoon, convert the meeting room into a self-serve sip and snack station. Bowls of tortilla chips, salsa, and guacamole are on the menu, along with a few flavors of frosty mocktail-style “margaritas” or sparkling lime coolers. If your company policy allows alcohol at work events, offer it as an optional extra, and always keep non-alcoholic choices front and center.
Keep it simple: a fruit bowl, nuts, and plenty of water or tea on the table all help too.
Mindfulness and Wellness Practices
You do not need a meditation retreat to feel a little calmer at work. A few small habits can be added to a normal day:
- Take three slow breaths before a meeting or after a tough email.
- Stretch or take a walk at lunch, even for ten minutes, and get some daylight if you can.
- Set up a quiet corner in the break room where people can take a few minutes away from screens.
- Try a short group pause. Start or end the Monday meeting with one minute of silence or a quick stretch.
These are general ways to feel more at ease, not a treatment for anything. Keep them optional, and let people choose what works for them.
Celebrating Small Wins
A little recognition goes a long way in a slow month. Do not wait for a big milestone: call out the finished project, the helpful teammate, and the person who made it through a rough week.
- Print fun certificates. Give out silly or sincere awards, like the footwear awards from slippers day. For ideas, see Hilarious Employee Recognition Awards for the Office.
- Say it out loud. Add a two-minute “shout-out” round to your next team meeting.
- Add a small gift. A small token can pair well with a certificate. Browse employee appreciation and recognition gifts for ideas.
Tip 10: Host a raffle fundraiser
Put together an amazing gift basket filled with office snacks, concert tickets, and restaurant gift cards. Sell raffle tickets for $5 each, with the proceeds going to a favorite local charity. Draw the winner during the 2pm afternoon slump to liven up the office. Raffle rules vary by location, so check any local requirements before you sell tickets.
FAQ
Q1: What is Blue Monday?
A1: Blue Monday is a popular name for a day in January, usually the third Monday, that is said to be the most depressing day of the year. The idea came from a 2005 travel-company press release and is not backed by solid science. Many people still use it as a prompt to check in on each other.
Q2: When is Blue Monday?
A2: Blue Monday is usually reported as the third Monday of January, so it always falls between January 15 and January 21. Because it follows the calendar, the exact date changes each year. A few sources point to a different Monday in January, so treat it as a rough guide and check the current year’s calendar.
Q3: Is Blue Monday really the most depressing day of the year?
A3: No. Blue Monday began as a 2005 marketing press release, and scientists have widely criticized the formula behind it. Still, many people feel a post-holiday slump in January because of winter weather, bills, and routine. If low mood lasts or affects daily life, talking to a doctor or mental health professional is a good next step.
Q4: How can I help my team beat the saddest day of the year at work?
A4: Keep it small and optional. Try a themed dress-up day, a potluck or catered lunch, a short team activity, and a quick check-in at the start of the week. A little recognition, like a printed certificate or a shout-out, goes a long way toward lifting the mood.
Make the Most of January’s Slow Monday
Blue Monday may be a marketing idea more than a scientific one, but the January slump it points to is something many teams feel. You do not need a big budget to help: a few fun traditions, a bit of fresh air, an honest check-in, and some well-earned recognition can make the first weeks of the year a lot brighter. Pick one or two of these ideas, keep them optional, and enjoy the laughs.
Ready to make Blue Monday the best Monday? Print your own funny and sincere awards on PaperDirect certificate paper and pair them with a small employee appreciation gift.