Like every Monday, your alarm clock has gone off and you're off to another busy week. But how did you feel this morning when you got out of bed? Did you get up on the wrong side of the bed? For some, the explanation lies in Blue Monday. This 17th of January would be the most depressing day of the year.

Origin of Blue Monday

This day takes its name from an advertising campaign launched in 2005 by the company Sky Travel. According to them, Blue Monday, which often falls on the third Monday in January, is based on a mathematical formula combining weather, finances, time and motivation. This theory, developed by British psychologist Cliff Arnall, has been heavily criticised as a marketing ploy.

Marketing strategy or psychological reality, it doesn't matter. We wanted to give you the keys to a day full of joy and sunshine. Because at Yellow, depression is not part of our DNA, we've found you all our anti-blues activities.

Playing sport

To take your mind off the blues, there's nothing like a bit of sport. Getting active and motivated is a miracle solution against leaden feet. In Luxembourg, the national sports and cultural centre of La Coque offers a wide range of sporting activities. Like taking a dip in the swimming pool, to wash away all your worries, as they say.

Eating chocolate

It is often said that our mood can be changed by what we eat. And when it comes to gastronomy, chocolate is undoubtedly THE sweet treat that lifts your mood. And in the Grand Duchy, there is no shortage of chocolate. There are, for example, the sweets of Genaveh or the pleasures to be savoured on the spot at the Chocolate House.

Going to a bookshop

Reading a good book can also be just the thing to counteract depression. There's nothing like immersing yourself in a good story to forget the monotony of everyday life. In Luxembourg, Ernster bookshops have an incomparable selection of books. There are 6 sales outlets to discover throughout the country.

Ronrontherapy

It is no longer a matter of course: pets have relaxing and anti-stress properties. Cats in particular, whose purring helps to relieve us of all forms of anxiety. In the centre of the capital, the "Chalon de thé" is the ideal place to practice purr therapy. Go there to enjoy pastries, drink tea and absorb the positive vibes that cats give off.

Light therapy

Without a doubt, this is THE solution to the winter blues: light therapy. The weather and lack of light have a significant impact on our well-being. To combat this, light therapy is an incredible solution. In the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, many salons offer this service. Light therapy is a technique that consists of exposing oneself to an intense white light, without UVA or UVB, with a power of 10,000 lux, reproducing sunlight. This lamp recreates the effects of the sun, artificially, on our body. This allows it to slow down its production of melatonin and allows us to regain energy; and to activate its production of dopamine and serotonin to restore our morale.

In the Grand Duchy, many centres offer light therapy.