How to turn Blue Monday into a day of wellness
At the start of every year, the internet is flooded with articles about a curious phenomenon. You may have wondered what Blue Monday is and why it generates so much buzz. The theory, born from a mathematical formula (combining cold weather, post-holiday debt, and broken New Year’s resolutions), labels the third Monday of January as the saddest day of the year.
But what if we decide to flip the script?
Instead of giving in to the inertia of melancholy, we propose viewing this date as a clean slate. Forget the sadness; this Monday is the perfect excuse to stop, breathe, and treat yourself to experiences that elevate your energy.
Here are four ways to turn Blue Monday around and convert it into a day dedicated to reconnecting with yourself.
1. Immerse yourself in calm
There is no better antidote for a heavy Monday than water. Imagine starting the week not with a jarring alarm, but submerged in a hydrotherapy circuit, letting pressure jets and contrasting temperatures “wash away” accumulated stress. Treat yourself to a full spa day with aromatherapy treatments (lavender and rosemary are effective for calming the mind) and deep-tissue massages. The goal is for your body to understand that today is not a day to suffer, but to renew.
Are you at home? Create your own sanctuary. You don’t need to go out to start the ritual. Prepare a bath with salts or essential oils, dim the lights, and light a scented candle. If you don’t have a bathtub, take a mindful shower—visualizing the water carrying away tension—accompanied by a homemade honey-and-sugar scrub. It has an immediate renewing effect. The vital part is closing the door to the outside world for an hour.
2. Meditation by the sea (or in your favorite spot)
Sometimes, mental clutter is what clouds the day. An outdoor yoga or meditation session can change your brain chemistry almost instantly. You don’t need to be an expert yogi; you just need a mat, fresh air, and, if you are lucky enough to be at the beach, the rhythmic sound of the waves. The combination of conscious breathing and Vitamin D is the best natural medicine against January apathy.
If the sea is far away, find a quiet space near a window with natural light. Sit comfortably, close your eyes, and practice “creative visualization”: imagine in great detail that place that brings you peace (the sound of the ocean, the breeze, the warmth of the sun). Your brain doesn’t distinguish between what you see and what you vividly imagine; the relaxing effect will be the same.
3. Cuisine that feeds the soul and the mood
They say “we are what we eat,” and on this day, science is on your side. Participating in a cooking class focused on ingredients that improve your mood can be as therapeutic as it is delicious.
Seek to incorporate foods into your menu that stimulate the production of serotonin and endorphins:
- Dark chocolate: Known to reduce stress hormone levels.
- Avocado: Rich in healthy fats that nourish the brain.
- Citrus: Its aroma and Vitamin C provide instant energy.
Learning to prepare and slowly savor them is an act of self-love that starts with the palate.
4. The art of living the moment
Perhaps the reason Monday feels heavy is that we spend too much time watching other people’s perfect lives on screens. The challenge for 2026? A digital detox plan.
Turn off notifications. Leave your phone in the room or on airplane mode. Gift yourself the luxury of total disconnection. Swap the infinite scroll for a book, a walk, or simply the pleasure of watching a sunset without feeling the need to post it. Sometimes, disconnecting from the world is the only way to truly reconnect with oneself.
Don’t let a date on the calendar dictate your mood. You have the power to transform Blue Monday into the start of your best version.
