Tue Jan 24, 2006 10:36 am   Reply with quote      

January 23 is the most depressing day of the year, according to one scientist.

Psychologist Dr Cliff Arnall has weighed up the influence of a number of January-specific phenomena to explain why many of us get the blues at this time of the year.

The Cardiff University expert has come to his conclusion by taking into account miserable weather, mounting debt, the length of time since Christmas, failed New Year's resolutions, a lack of motivation and a need to take action.

Keeping fit and active is one of the keys to staying happy at this time of year, he says.

The Community Service Volunteers (CSV) Make A Difference Day, have suggested people can beat the blues by getting involved with charitable organisations.

Their research indicates that half of people who have volunteered for more than two years feel less depressed and 63% of 25 to 34-year-olds say they feel less stressed after volunteering.

Dr Arnall backed up the findings.

He said: "Keeping physically and mentally active can often improve your state of mind and helping others can sometimes boost self esteem. Volunteering, especially if done on a regular basis, is a great way to feel happier and healthier."

Aaron

Tue Jan 24, 2006 3:49 pm   Reply with quote      

LOL

That is kind of funny, around the end of the day it was starting to get pretty bad for myself.....The Conservatives had won a minority government under Harper in Canada

Tue Jan 24, 2006 9:18 pm   Reply with quote      

This is when you realize how much you really spent during holiday season, so, ok, this kind of makes sense.

Wed Jan 25, 2006 11:54 am   Reply with quote      

Yeah, it does kind of make sense. You're back in the usual grind of work after the Christmas break, and it's cold and dark early (here at least).

Aaron

Wed Jan 25, 2006 4:33 pm   Reply with quote      

hmmmm, but why single out this particular day? The days are starting to get noticeable longer so shouldn't that make people feel better

Wed Jan 25, 2006 7:10 pm   Reply with quote      

Maybe also because it was a Monday. People don't like Mondays.

Aaron

Thu Jan 26, 2006 12:24 am   Reply with quote      

Yeah, but it gets colder as we approach February (I personally don't mind cold weather though).

Fri Jan 27, 2006 7:54 pm   Reply with quote      

To me just about every day is the same - just another day. Of course, different things happen, and I feel differently from day to day, but the date itself... what's really in a date?

Unless of course, you made a whole load of resolutions & just realized you bust out on half a dozen of them already!