Blue Monday: today is officially the most miserable day of the year

**buttmunch** · January 18th, 2010, 04:51 AM

If you think life is a grind and you'd rather be doing anything other than going to work, you're not alone.

Today is officially Blue Monday - the most miserable day of the year.

A combination of Arctic temperatures, Christmas debt and the next pay day feeling like it's months away leaves many of us depressed and unable to face work.

And to make matters worse, you probably can't afford to take time off sick thanks to the recession or because you've already had days off as a result of the snow.

The gloomy research was carried out by FirstCare, a company that helps firms tackle absenteeism.

Chief executive Aaron Ross said: 'Blue Monday has been described as the most depressive day of the year with absence rates expected to be higher.

'With absenteeism costing significant amounts of money, we advise employers to show their support to employees in January.

'We urge businesses to support their staff through difficult times and reduce absenteeism.'

But it is thought there may not be as high a sick rate today as in previous years because workers are struggling with the recession.

Many also had days off during the recent weather, leaving them less inclined to pick up the phone and put on a 'sick' voice today.

Read more: Feeling depressed? Welcome to the Blue Monday club | Mail Online

I think there's something in this. I'm feeling rotten today and can't get anything done.

**McJag** · January 18th, 2010, 07:28 AM

Depression or not, if you have massive Christmas dent, you had BETTER get your butt to work! At least you have a work!

**chartreuse** · January 18th, 2010, 07:35 AM

i'm king of taking this personally...it's my b'day today.

**sputnik** · January 18th, 2010, 08:02 AM

happy birthday, ang!!!

**McJag** · January 18th, 2010, 08:03 AM

Originally Posted by ang

i'm king of taking this personally...it's my b'day today.

OK-thus is a justified absence! Happy Birthday!

**darksithbunny** · January 18th, 2010, 08:31 AM

I would gladly get my butt to work if I had a job

**Anne of Cleves** · January 18th, 2010, 08:54 AM

Originally Posted by darksithbunny

I would gladly get my butt to work if I had a job

Me too.

**Laurent** · January 18th, 2010, 08:57 AM

Never heard of Blue Monday. Today is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day in the U.S. and it is a federal/state holiday. A lot of people are off work today.

**AliceInWonderland** · January 18th, 2010, 11:13 AM

lol everyday is blue monday for me!

**cupcake** · January 18th, 2010, 12:17 PM

I dont believe in blue days. A great attitude is everything. I rarely let anyone or anything get me down.

Originally Posted by ang

i'm king of taking this personally...it's my b'day today.

Have a beautiful birthday!

**kingcap72** · January 18th, 2010, 12:39 PM

If people are depressed about their lives on 'Blue Monday' just imagine that things could be worse. You could be living in Haiti and your entire life could have just collapsed around you. No matter how bad you think you have it, someone is always worse off.

By the way, Happy B-Day, Ang.

**Brookie** · January 18th, 2010, 01:05 PM

Happy Birthday, Ang. And I'm officially in for having a shitty day, but I'm doing my best to make it better.

**KandyKorn** · January 18th, 2010, 01:06 PM

Originally Posted by Anne of Cleves

Me too.

Me three.

Happy Birthday Ang!!!

**Beeyotch** · January 18th, 2010, 01:11 PM

Well today sure looks shitty around here: it's rainy, windy and gray, something SoCal peeps just aren't used to.

On that note (sorry!

), Happy Birthday Ang!

**Kathie_Moffett** · January 18th, 2010, 01:36 PM

Happy Birthday, Ang!

Blue Monday just sounds like a Roy Orbison song to me, therefore not bad at all. And as Kingcap points out, so many people are in such terrible straits today that I am just being hugely grateful for what I have. The rainstorm is nice too; hopefully, if we get enough of this we won't have to listen to the authorities whining about water shortages all this year.