Caitríona Redmond: ‘Most depressing day’ doesn’t have to be that bad

Should you book a holiday soon?

Caitríona believes that a resolution to add a new routine can be beneficial. For example, this year she is planning to read a physical book for 20 minutes a day.

Apparently the most depressing day of 2026 will fall on January 19 — just a short fortnight away.

'Blue Monday' is the third Monday of January. The date itself is calculated using a formula devised by a psychologist in 2004. It involves figuring out the level of light exposure, debt, motivational levels, time since Christmas, and resolutions. There’s plenty of research available on how light levels impact our feelings of wellbeing which adds to the calculation, and now that the schools are back today, it’s highly likely many of us are feeling the post-Christmas and New Year’s blues.

That same psychologist also appointed the happiest day of the year as being close to the Summer Solstice in Ireland. It’ll be no surprise to you that this calculation was made on behalf of an ice cream company. I’m counting down the days to longer days of sunshine and better weather, regardless of the potential for ice cream to celebrate or not!

Shortly after that worst day of the year was calculated, Sky Travel announced that Blue Monday is the perfect day for booking a holiday. It was such a clever marketing ploy, that 21 years on, travel agents continue to promote it.

Remember that calculation? Our moods naturally vary and people will feel depressed regardless of the date or day of the week.

The calculation is missing peer-reviewed research to prove that society is more likely to feel depressed on that day. This would involve measuring the moods of many people over a long period of time and in comparison, to other days of the year. It would also depend on loads of variables including where on the globe participants are located.

For example, considering Australians are in high summer at the moment, it's likely that feeling depressed on the third Monday of the year may only be an issue for those living in the Northern hemisphere.

There’s nothing wrong with taking advantage of Blue Monday though. When you spot any tempting holiday offers in the next few weeks, apply the same wary attitude you would have for a sale in a clothes or electrical shop. Travel agents are bound by the same retail rules when it comes to sale prices.

When a holiday has a sale price, it should be the lowest price available to consumers over the preceding 30 days.

If you’re intending to make a holiday booking, you could aim to strike at just the right time and save yourself a fortune. The important thing is to do the research now, consider where you’d like to go, for how long, and what your budget is.

Write down the existing price for your dream trip this week and set it to one side. Get your ducks in a row and book time off (if you need to), and check you have the money to pay for your break away. This gets you all set up to pounce and rake in a saving when the sales are announced.

In my opinion, the best time to book a trip away is when you have free time and can afford the cost, regardless of the time of the year. Arranging a holiday without time off or enough money is a recipe for many further blue days to come.

If you can’t grab any offers that may turn up on January 19, I recommend waiting until you have a plan in place. The money is better in your pocket for now.

There are other, proven ways to help a low mood after Christmas that don’t involve shelling out for a holiday.

Getting out and going for a walk in the fresh air, can definitely help lift the spirits and improve overall health.

Even in the depths of winter, there’s no such thing as bad weather, only the wrong clothing. Layer up and get out for a stomp around your local area. Your overall health will hopefully improve if you can manage to do this several times a week.

Resolutions

Massive New Year’s resolutions can be bound for failure because we ask too much of ourselves, particularly if there’s abstinence involved.

I always believe that a resolution to add a new routine can be beneficial. In 2026 for example, my plan is to read a physical book for 20 minutes a day. If I stick to it, by the end of this year I’ll have read for more than 121 hours. That’s a lot of books!

Finally, consider volunteering your time in the local community. This is a super budget-friendly option if you’re watching your bank balance. You establish true connections and feel more grounded in your community; there’s a great sense of belonging which genuinely helps with feeling low.

I volunteer with Foróige, a National youth organisation. The weekly 90 minutes I spend with local young people are fun and exhilarating. Every time I leave the club, I feel full of optimism.

There are thousands of volunteering opportunities nationwide and the Volunteer Ireland website has great tips to get started. Check out volunteer.ie for more information.

Redmond Recommends

The Samaritans don’t believe in Blue Monday, and they rightly point out that feeling low isn’t something that happens on Mondays alone, or even a particular date. They call it 'Brew Monday' and instead suggest it’s a great opportunity to reach out and catch up with people over a cup of tea or coffee. This year they will be marking January 19 as a fundraising day.

If you’re interested in getting involved or hosting your own Brew Monday event, you can find more information their website samaritans.org

If you are going to book a holiday this month, it’s a great time of the year to review or renew your travel insurance. A standalone policy will protect you for every national and international trip in 2026, rather than booking individually.