British public urged to ‘Beat Blue Monday'

Today (19) is meant to be the year's most depressing day or Blue Monday, according to the AA, which is coming up with reasons to be cheerful.

A campaign encouraging the British public to overcome the winter blues is being launched to raise people's spirits and vital funds for the Mental Health Foundation. The economic downturn could make this the worst Blue Monday ever.

Blue Monday was first defined by Cliff Arnall, formerly of Cardiff University, marking the symbolic time in January when people suffer from a series of combined depressive effects.

Blue Monday was devised using a mathematical equation:

The model was broken down using six immediately identifiable factors; weather (W), debt (d), time since Christmas (T), time since failing our new year's resolutions (Q), low motivational levels (M) and the feeling of a need to take action (Na).

The equation calculates that Monday 19 January 2009 is the worst day of the year, when the Christmas glow has faded away, New Year's resolutions have been broken, cold Winter weather has set in and credit card bills will be landing on doormats across the land - whilst the January pay-cheque is still some way away.

On the roads we have to face all the weather extremes in January: snow, rain, sleet, ice and fog, making roads more dangerous and cars more likely to need attention. All the stress points are back on the road network - congestion hot spots and road works, while the world of work is back in full swing.

However, there are some "reasons to be cheerful" and a little less blue.

Drivers should be feeling a little less down in the dumps this Blue Monday with an extra £8.74 in their pockets if they filled up their petrol tank this morning, says the AA.

Although winter motoring can be an ordeal for many drivers getting to work, avoiding more tax or congestion-free travel, the price of fuel is one bright spot on a gloomy horizon.

Petrol at the end of last week cost 17.5 pence per litre less than it did a year ago (104.28 to 86.80) and diesel 10.5 less (109.24 to 98.84). Filling up the typical 50-litre petrol tank now costs £43.40 compared to £52.14 this time last year.

"This time of year can be gloomy and depressing, but at least this Monday is a little less blue than it was last year if you are filling up your tank. The AA suggests drivers use some of their fuel savings to cheer themselves up perhaps by giving to charity," says Edmund King, the AA's president.

Other motoring reasons to be cheerful:

Deals on wheels: There are some great deals on new cars with some showrooms offering "buy one, get one free".

Free driver training: The AA Charitable Trust is offering 2,000 free Drive Smart training courses for new drivers most at risk. Register at theaa.com/drive-smart

Cheaper fuel: At forecourts near you.

Lights: Powys council decided to switch the streetlights back on after an AA campaign and complaints.