Every year, the term "Blue Monday" is thrown around to help explain away the winter-time, post-holiday funk most of us feel.  A 2005 study by Cliff Arnall is usually at the center of these claims.  While Mr. Arnall was technically employed by the esteemed and respected Cardiff University in Wales, he was merely tutor.  It is also worth noting that at this time he was reported to also employed by Virgin Airlines and Virgin Holidays.  To say that there may have been a bit of a bias in the research is an understatement.

The original press release used the following formula to determine how bad

\frac{[W + (D-d)] \times T^Q}{M \times N_a}

The values were as such: W=weather, d=debt, D=monthly salary, T=time since Christmas, Q=time since failing our new year's resolutions, M=low motivational levels, and Na=the feeling of a need to take action.  Obviously, there is hardly a way to properly quantify things like weather, motivation, etc - the idea of the formula is meant to spur you in to action on the vacation front.

Administration officials with Cardiff did their best to distance themselves from the "study," but the 3rd Monday in January had already been claimed by "Blue Monday."

Here how you can take advantage, tons of travel sites run lots of deals for folks looking to shake off their winter blues.  Sure, as consumers - we are totally being manipulated by this made up day.  But, if you want to save big bucks, and find yourself a vacation to look forward to - Blue Monday just might be your best day of the year.

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