Blue Monday, Brew Monday and how to boost your teams’ wellbeing this January

The third Monday is January (Monday 20^th this year) has become known as the most depressing day of the year thanks to an innovative travel company’s PR stunt in the early noughties. Whilst often dismissed as pseudoscientific nonsense, this cultural phenomenon succeeds in tapping into the vulnerabilities that many experience at this time of year.

Following the revelry of the festivities, a long season of excess, the vague memory of a paycheque, and a significant wait for the next one, workers can feel despondent by Blue Monday. Here are some ideas on how you can plan to boost wellbeing in your workplace in advance of this.

1. Acknowledge the day – use it as an opportunity to put mental health at the top of your company’s corporate wellbeing agenda for the year.
2. Have a cuppa with colleagues - studies show that taking the time to connect and talk boosts the feel-good hormones dopamine and oxytocin. The Samaritans have launched a Brew Monday fundraising campaign to encourage people to have a cuppa and a catch up in support of the charity. Philanthropic and corporate wellness goals unlocked!
3. Get some fresh air – ditching the desk and getting those steps in releases endorphins and will give your team a fresh perspective for the rest of the day. Organise a lunchtime walk and boost focus and concentration for the rest of the day.
4. Give your team something to look forward to – sign up for National Workplace Wellbeing Day 2025. Ireland's biggest celebration of workplace health & wellbeing takes place on Wednesday 30th April this year, and registered companies can benefit from a host of resources to help them spotlight and celebrate their wellbeing strategies.
5. Make it official – take the KeepWell Mini Assessment and see where your organisation’s wellbeing strategy sits against the minimum standards of the KeepWell Mark.

Set the tone for the year ahead by prioritising workplace wellbeing. Find out more about the KeepWell Mark here. 

Mental Health is one of the eight pillars of the KeepWell Mark framework. See how close your company is to accreditation by taking this mini assessment