7 reasons to be cheerful on Blue Monday

Firstly, Blue Monday isn't even real

Today is so-called “Blue Monday” - apparently the most depressing day of the year.

But before you start sobbing into your cornflakes, listen up: Blue Monday isn’t real.

It’s a complete hoax - there’s no science behind it - and was made up by a PR company.

The trouble is, with everyone telling you it’s the most depressing day of the year, combined with grim wintry weather, the struggle to keep up with your New Year’s resolutions and well, the fact that it’s just a Monday, many of us end up having something of a sad day.

When you think it’s the most depressing day of the year, you may end up paying more attention to the negative things happening over the course of your day, rather than the positive ones.

But that needn’t be the case.

In fact, there are plenty of reasons why today can in fact be one of the cheeriest days of the year.

Here are just seven reasons to be happy on Blue Monday:

1. It’s only 74 days until a bank holiday

Now, granted, that might seem like a long time. But. BUT. There’s a longer gap between the spring and summer bank holidays at the end of May and August respectively. So there you go.

2. It’s getting lighter every day

We’re well past the shortest day of the year - the Winter Solstice was 21 December - which means with every coming day, we get a bit more of that precious sunshine.

3. There are tons of food offers available at the moment

With everyone pinching pennies and trying to subsist on lettuce and lettuce alone, the restaurants are competing for customers. Often all you need to do is sign your email address up to the main chains (think Pizza Express and Byron) who will then send you regular offers.

4. It’s jumper time of year

You may have a little extra insulation round your middle post Christmas but a) that doesn’t make you any less of a brilliant person, and b) it’s jumper season. Everyone knows jumpers are the best of all the items of clothing.

5. Friends is on Netflix

If you needed any more reason to stay in cocooned under blankets on the sofa, everyone’s favourite US series is now on Netflix. Cast aside the fact that some of the jokes haven’t quite travelled into 2018 so well, sit back and enjoy. It’ll always be there for you.

6. It’s awards season

Even if you couldn’t care less about who wins and wears what, you can always count on awards season for gaffes and goss. And who doesn’t love celebrities embarrassing themselves?

7. It’s Martin Luther King Jr’s birthday

Whether you think the world’s moved forwards or backwards since King’s day, celebrating everything he achieved should at least fill you with some hope for the future.