Every year, the third Monday of January is dubbed “Blue Monday”.
The theory goes that this is the time of year when we’re all cold, broke and riddled (1)_________ guilt that our new year’s resolutions to get fit, drink less alcohol, and be a better human being have (2)_________________ by the wayside.
And of course in 2021, we're dealing with yet another lockdown on (3)_____________ of the annual January difficulties.
But is Blue Monday really the most depressing day of the year, (4)_________ it’s often called, or is the label just a misguided PR (5)__________?
The concept was originally (6)______________ in 2004 by psychologist Cliff Arnall.
He came (7)__________ with a “formula” for the January blues after he was asked to do so by travel firm Sky Travel, (8)___________ then used the phrase in a press release to promote their winter deals.
It took into account a number of factors (9)_______________ to contribute to low mood.
Arnall has since confessed that the formula is essentially pseudoscience and has urged Brits (10)__________ “refute the whole notion” of Blue Monday.
"I was originally asked to come up with (11)_____________ I thought was the best day to book a summer holiday but when I started thinking about the motives for booking a holiday, reflecting (12)____________ what thousands had told me during stress management or happiness workshops, there were these factors that pointed to the third Monday in January as being particularly depressing,” he told The Daily Telegraph in 2013.
That hasn’t stopped PRs and marketing firms (13)___________ manipulating the concept and using it as a golden sales opportunity, enabling them to capitalise (14)_____________ the assumption that everyone is miserable on this particular day and therefore vulnerable (15)__________ advertising.
This year alone, deals are being advertised (16)_________ sushi, burgers, aromatherapy products, “uplifting” beauty treatments and diet plans. Spending our money, these brands say, can help cure us of this annual bout (17)___________ depressive symptoms.
But playing (18)______________and loose with mental health terminology can have some insidious effects.
Psychologist Dr Joan Harvey describes the concept as “completely meaningless”, particularly with (19)_________ to claims that poor weather is one of the main reasons why Blue Monday is so blue.
“If it’s really bright and sunny, you might even find yourself feeling cheerful on the day,” she tells The Independent.
(20)____________ Harvey points out that seasonal affective disorder (SAD) can leave people feeling depressed during the winter months, she stresses that pegging depression to one day in particular is “sensationalist /senˈseɪʃənəlɪst/ nonsense”.
KEY
blue: sad, depressed. E.g. He'd been feeling blue all week.
1. with
- to be full of something, especially something bad or unpleasant
- His body was riddled with cancer.
- Her typing was slow and riddled with mistakes.
- The woods are riddled with rabbit holes.
2. fallen
- to fail or be unable to make progress
- Many clubs fall by the wayside for financial reasons.
- Proposals for the new service fell by the wayside through lack of public support.
3. top
on top of something
in addition to something
He gets commission on top of his salary.
On top of everything else, my car's been stolen.
4. as
5. stunt/gimmick
stunt:something that is done in order to attract people’s attention
- They jumped off London Bridge as a publicity stunt.
gimmick: an unusual trick or unnecessary device that is intended to attract attention or to persuade people to buy something
- a promotional/publicity/sales gimmick
- We don’t use gimmicks to sell our products.
- The promise of lower taxation may have been just an election gimmick to gain votes.
- a new gimmick to encourage people to go to the cinema
PR: the business of giving the public information about a particular organization or person in order to create a good impression (the abbreviation for ‘public relations’)
- a PR department/agency/campaign
- The article is very good PR for the theatre.
6. coined
coin something: to invent a new word or phrase that other people then begin to use
- The term ‘cardboard city’ was coined to describe communities of homeless people living in cardboard boxes.
- He was the first to coin the motto ‘Make Love, Not War’.
7. up
come up with: produce
8. who
9. likely
10. to
urge: to advise or try hard to persuade somebody to do something.
- urge somebody to do something If you ever get the chance to visit this place, I strongly urge you to do so.
11. what
12. on
13. from
14. on
- to gain a further advantage for yourself from a situation. Take advantage of. E.g.
The team failed to capitalize on their early lead.
15. to
vulnerable (to somebody/something) weak and easily hurt physically or emotionally
E.g. The children are very vulnerable to being hurt. Children are most vulnerable to abuse within their own home.
16. for
aromatherapy: /əˌrəʊməˈθerəpi/ the use of natural oils that smell sweet to improve physical, emotional or mental health, by rubbing them into the skin or breathing in their smell
17. of
bout: /baʊt/
a
short period of great activity; a short period during which there is a
lot of a particular thing, usually something unpleasant. Sp. Período,
episodio.
- They had been fighting after a drinking bout.
- bout of something/of doing something the latest bout of inflation
- There has been a severe bout of inflation over recent months.
- Regular exercise is better than occasional bouts of strenuous activity.
18. fast
- Behave irresponsibly or immorally. To treat somebody/something in a way that shows that you feel no responsibility or respect for them. Sp. tomar a la ligera.
insidious: spreading gradually or without being noticed, but causing serious harm. Sp traicionero.
- the insidious effects of polluted water supplies
- High blood pressure is an insidious condition which has few symptoms.
19. regard
- (formal) relating to somebody/something
- a country’s laws in regard to human rights
- The company's position with regard to overtime is made clear in their contracts.
- I am writing with regard to your recent order.
relating to somebody/something; about somebody/something
- She has said nothing regarding your request.
- Call me if you have any problems regarding your work.
20. While
peg. to recognize or discover what something is; identify. Sp. etiquetar, identificar, catalogar. E.g. She pegged him as a big spender. They had you pegged as a sucker the minute you walked in.
sucker: a person who is easily tricked or persuaded to do something. Sp. Inocentón.
- She always said the lottery was for suckers.
Giving advice:
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