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The Most Depressing Day of the Year: Welcome to January 21

A pseudo scientific study claims the third Monday of January is the most depressing day of the year.
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Israelis walk in a rare winter snow storm on Jaffa Road in central Jerusalem, March 2, 2012. Residents of Jerusalem woke to 1.575 inches of snow in the first snow fall in Jerusalem in more than two years. UPI/Debbie Hill
Israelis walk in a rare winter snow storm on Jaffa Road in central Jerusalem, March 2, 2012. Residents of Jerusalem woke to 1.575 inches of snow in the first snow fall in Jerusalem in more than two years. UPI/Debbie Hill 
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Updated Jan. 21, 2013 at 1:07 PM
Published: Jan. 21, 2013 at 12:47 PM

If you're feeling a little extra down today, it's okay. According to British psychologist Cliff Arnal, today is the most depressing day of the year.

Arnal created 'Blue Monday' in 2005 through an elaborate mathematical equation that stablished the third Monday of January as the most miserable day of the year.

What makes this day so horrible you ask? Well, a number of things. The weather for one, is pretty blue on its own. That, combined with the upcoming due date for holiday bills and the unfulfilled New Year's resolutions are the perfect recipe for hitting an all-time-low and feeling depressed, Arnal said.

Though the theory sounds mildly reasonable, some have argued that Arnal created it as a marketing campaign for Sky Travel, a travel company.

But just in case he got it right, a study by Anglian Home Improvements in the UK, has found that a boost in your daylight consumption might be the key to fighting the Monday blues, the Daily Mail reported.

"The survey shows a clear link between natural daylight, mood and motivation," Melanie McDonald from Anglian Improvement said.

In addition, exercising and eating fresh are also good for kicking depression to the curb.

"Winter blues can make you crave sugary foods and carbohydrates such as chocolate, pasta and bread, but don't forget to include plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables in your diet," the NHS website suggested.

Andrew McCulloch, the chief executive of the Mental Health Foundation said 30 minutes of vigorous exercise three times a weeks has an effective effect against depression. In which case, "if you have a tendency towards [Seasonal Affective Disorder] SAD, outdoor exercise will have a double benefit, because you'll gain some daylight," the NHS noted.

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