By Francesca Trovato. Cover image by Taline Nesheiwat
Blue Monday falls on Monday, January 19, and is labeled as “the saddest day of the year.”The end of the holidays, the return to routine, and saying goodbye to rest and slow mornings can leave us feeling lonelier, more tired, and overwhelmed. Often described as “the saddest day of the year,” Blue Monday is more a cultural moment than a scientific fact—but its emotional impact can still feel very real.
Getting back to normal isn’t always easy, so we decided to turn Blue Monday into an opportunity. Here’s a small, feel-good survival guide to help you get through the most melancholic day of the year—one step at a time.
Blue Monday Reset: Who Do I Want to Become in 2026?
First things first: slow down and go inward.
Blue Monday can be the perfect moment to pause, reflect, and reconnect with yourself.
Remember that list of intentions you wrote a few weeks ago? The one filled with goals, hopes, and promises for the year ahead? Maybe it’s time to read it again.
Did you want to be more productive?
Take better care of yourself?
Finally sign up for the gym—or simply move your body more?
You don’t need to figure everything out today. Even ten quiet minutes are enough to organize your thoughts and ask yourself one simple question: How do I want to feel this year?
Take a deep breath. You don’t have to do everything at once. One small step is already enough to make today—and the days ahead—feel a little lighter.
Self-Care on Blue Monday: Simple Rituals That Actually Help
Another option? Comfort: the kind that feels like a warm hug.
On the saddest day of the year, a sweet treat is always welcome. Give yourself permission to slow down and create a small ritual that’s entirely yours. It could be your favorite cup of tea at the office, eye patches on the couch, a comfort TV series paired with last-minute takeout, that face mask you never have time for, or the bath bomb you’ve been saving “for a special occasion.” Fill the bathtub, dim the lights, and relax.
You deserve it. Let the stress go, even just for a moment.
Beat Blue Monday: How Sharing Your Day Can Lift Your Mood
Sometimes, the best way to survive Blue Monday is not to face it alone.
Sharing the day with someone else can instantly make it feel lighter. Call a friend, a relative, or a colleague—anyone you’d like to spend a few hours with. Preferably indoors, because January sunshine often feels like a mirage. Go to the movies after work, invite someone over, or finally cook that recipe you’ve been postponing for months. Yes, we’re talking about those infamous crumble cookies.
At the end of the day, all it really takes is good company, a few laughs, and something delicious to remind us that even Blue Monday eventually passes.
