Because challenging times don’t follow a calendar the Printing Charity offer 365 day support and practical tips for better mental health
The popular myth – and misconception – claims that the third Monday in January (in 2026, that’s
19th) is the most depressing day of the year. However, in truth ‘Blue Monday’ was originally conceived as a marketing ploy to sell holidays, because, of course, the reality is that challenging times don’t follow a calendar.
Whatever you think about Blue Monday, there are some steps you can take to support your wellbeing, in and out of work, on Blue Monday, and every day of the year.
These include:
- Taking time to practice self-care, such as eating well and getting enough sleep, plus
getting some activity into your day – even stretching, deep breathing or a short walk
make a difference; - Strong social connections outside, and inside, work help reduce stress and increase
resilience, so make time to maintain contact with family, friends and colleagues. The
Samaritans have turned ‘Blue Monday’ into ‘Brew Monday’ and encourage everyone
to keep connected by having a cuppa and a chat; - Take proper breaks at work, including getting away from your desk and even out of
the workplace if possible; - Set boundaries between work and home – tricky if your work is hybrid or entirely
remote, but ensuring you only work from a certain area of your home, ideally away
from where you usually relax, helps; - Ask for help if you need it – the Printing Charity helpline is here for you, and you can
also use the support available within your organisation
Because there’s no set schedule for those times when life just doesn’t go according to plan, the Printing Charity is here for anyone working in print, paper, packaging, graphics and publishing, 365 days of the year.
Printing Charity CEO Neil Lovell commented, “No-one can predict when they’re going to need help, but whenever that moment happens, we believe that everyone should have someone to turn to. This is why our helpline is here to support everyone in our sector, every day of the year.”
The charity’s free, confidential and independent helpline provides in-the-moment emotional support 24 hours a day, every day, and can be reached on 0333 212 3534. No problem is too big, or too small, to call.