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British scientists comes up with a formula to tell us the most depressing day of the year: January 24

Date published: 1/24/2006

By KRISTIN DAVIS

LEAK DAYS and bleached landscapes--it's a downer outside. But it's going to get better from here.

Congratulations, you made it through the most depressing 24 hours of the year. Let that happy bit of news jolt us from our January listlessness.

British psychologist Cliff Arnall said he scientifically identified yesterday--a Monday to boot--as the most depressing day of the year. He's got a formula, of course: Weather plus debt to monthly salary ratio times days since Christmas and broken New Year's resolutions, all divided by low motivation and the need to make changes.

Arnall, a part-time professor at the University of Cardiff in Wales, specializes in "happiness, motivation and confidence."

Is there really a way to calculate the culmination of misery? Arnall did not respond to our e-mail queries. But stress specialist and author Kathleen Hall says yes and no. While Jan. 23 is perhaps too specific a date (last year it was Jan. 24) Hall said she's always noticed people need more support from about the 18th of January through the week before Valentine's.

"I'm glad about this arbitrary date this scientist made up. We need to be aware of [depression]. It's something we need to talk about," Hall said during a telephone interview from her Atlanta office last week.

"We experience sensory overload from Thanksgiving to the new year. Now, we feel flat, hollow," she said.

The weather is grim. We start breaking our resolutions, and optimism turns to feelings of failure. Credit card bills from Christmas are arriving, and 80 percent of us have overspent, Hall said.

Valentine's Day, and the moderate boost it can bring, is just around the corner. Then, eventually, comes spring.

In the meantime, residents of the Washington area aren't nearly as stressed as those in other big U.S. cities. According to research by Sperling's BestPlaces, which profiles American cities, our area ranks 83rd out of 100 when it comes to stress.

Hall, author of "A Life in Balance: Nourishing the Four Roots of True Happiness," offers ways to overcome seasonal blues.

Memorize a three- to five-word inspirational phrase or verse that applies to your life. Repeat it while breathing slowly. This lowers blood pressure and heart rate.

Listen to music. It calms and boosts seratonin, a chemical in the brain that affects emotions. "If you really want to get happy," Hall said, "break out singing. You'll get an immune boost."

Laugh. This causes the arteries to widen, thus increasing blood flow.

Schedule time with loved ones. Plan to share a meal with a loved one twice a week. E-mail a friend every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. "Isolation kills, community heals," said Hall.

Exercise and eat right. "Food regulates moods more than we ever thought," she said. Always eat breakfast. This boosts metabolism.

Wear something colorful. "Color is huge. Our brain identifies with it."

"Don't forget the power of scents. Our nose is our strongest sense." Citrus lifts the spirits. Peppermint and lavender sooth. Use fragrant body washes, candles and air fresheners.

Staff librarian Craig Schulin contributed to this report.

To reach KRISTIN DAVIS:540/368-5028
Email: kdavis@freelancestar.com

Date published: 1/24/2006