Middy readers share their Blue Monday hacks

The term Blue Monday was coined by Cliff Arnall, a psychologist, after he was asked by holiday company Sky Travel to make a formula for the January blues and the day when people were most likely to book a holiday. The day falls on the third Monday in January.

Despite being widely seen as pseudoscience, it is still thought to be a time of year in which people may suffer from lower moods for reasons such as it being dark a lot of the time, the weather being bad, and people's finances still recovering from Christmas.

We took to our Facebook page to ask readers how they combat Blue Monday.

Most people took advantage of the rare sunny and dry weather, like Jane Stanbury, who said: "Had a lovely morning volunteer gardening at Wakehurst in the sunshine."

Daniel Jones did not agree that Monday was the most depressing day of the year, saying: "Speak for yourself. Miserable lot! The sun was shining today. A new day, a new week and a new year. Life is good and the world is your oyster."

Reasons why people may feel low on Blue Monday are claimed to include low motivation and failed New Year's resolutions.

Several people took advantage of the unexpectedly bright weather, like Sue Price who said: "Walking is always a good one especially in the countryside or even a park, just look at the beauty and listen to the birds, they are very always uplifting."

Exercise has been proven to improve people's mood, as it releases endorphins and chemicals which make you feel happy.

Debbie Knox made time to exercise, and said: "Go to Swoove with Esther Rose Featherstone – life is always sunnier when you Swoove."

However, exercise doesn't have to mean being in a gym or doing anything intense – it can just be something like taking your dog for a walk.

Julie Marchant said: "I took my dog for a blast round the fields. The sky was awesome, the frost was spectacular, he is now one very sleepy pup and i feel invigorated, all it cost was an hour of our time."

Some readers decided to spend the evening exercising their vocal chords, like Ann Waterhouse who sang with Sussex A Capella in the King's Centre, Burgess Hill.

Emmy Kavanagh was busy planning her next holiday, saying it was 'just a short city break, but somewhere I've not been before with lots to explore'.

If Blue Monday, or a general low mood is getting you down this week or any other week this year, maybe Sally-Ann Lilley's evening plans will help. She said: "I'm sitting in front my warm fire and feeling thankful for just being here."

What do you do to combat a low mood? Do you believe in Blue Monday? Let us know at [email protected].