Each year, the third Monday of January attracts attention as “Blue Monday.” Although the label started as a marketing idea rather than a scientific finding, many people relate to the feeling: cold weather, limited daylight, and the contrast between holiday spending and January bills can make mid‑January feel heavy and demoralizing.
What is Blue Monday?
Blue Monday originated about two decades ago as an advertising concept by a British travel company, but it has since become a cultural touchpoint. The idea sparks discussion at a time when people commonly feel low, fatigued or stressed, and it can be a useful prompt to check in on mental and financial health.
One condition often linked to winter low mood is seasonal affective disorder (SAD). According to the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health in Toronto, SAD is associated with changes in sunlight and can lead to symptoms such as persistent low mood, sleep and appetite changes, fatigue, difficulty concentrating and withdrawal from social activities.
If you experience significant changes in appetite, sleep disturbances, loss of interest in usual activities, chronic fatigue, irritability, trouble concentrating or prolonged low self‑esteem, speak with a physician or mental‑health professional. Treatments commonly used in Canada include light therapy, psychotherapy and medication, and a healthcare provider can advise which option is most appropriate.
Besides clinical treatment, practical lifestyle actions can improve mood and confidence. Learning a new skill, connecting with friends, and regular physical activity are proven ways to boost mental well‑being. There are also low‑cost options for socializing and exercising if budgets are tight.
Read on for further guidance on improving both your emotional resilience and your financial confidence during the winter months.
When is Blue Monday in 2025?
In 2025, Blue Monday falls on January 20. Of course, feeling low isn’t limited to a single day—many people experience extended winter blues or seasonal depression.
Beyond the season itself, current events and media coverage can intensify stress. Political turmoil, economic uncertainty and changes in how online platforms manage speech all affect how secure and in control people feel. When the news feels overwhelming, it often adds to financial and emotional strain.
Shaun Maslyk, a Certified Financial Planner, MoneySense columnist and host of The Most Hated F‑Word podcast, emphasizes that financial stability and emotional security are closely linked. “Our financial lives are deeply tied to our sense of security and control, so it’s no surprise that uncertainty can amplify stress,” he says. Drawing on ideas from behavioral science, he notes that our emotional reactions to new information can feel louder than the real impact on our daily lives.
Maslyk adds, “While these changes are significant, their effects are rarely as immediate or severe as they feel in the moment. We can’t stop stress or worry from arriving—they’re natural—but we can manage our responses and focus on what’s within our control.” Practical steps he recommends include limiting news exposure, staying connected with family and friends, exercising, taking walks, practicing gratitude and continuing to learn. These actions can reduce anxiety and help preserve both mental and financial well‑being.
To support you through this period, below is a curated list of resources and articles that cover mental‑health supports, ways to build financial resilience, and actionable tips to increase confidence around money and planning.
How to improve your mental well-being
- Mental health resources in Canada: How to get help for free (or cheap)
Practical options for accessing mental‑health support whether or not you have workplace benefits or private insurance. - Where to get help if you’re struggling financially (and mentally)
How to find assistance for debt and money problems that are contributing to anxiety or stress. - How to deal with money and your finances when the economy is stressing you out
Strategies to keep a clear head when interest‑rate changes, inflation or economic uncertainty are creating pressure. - What are money scripts? What’s yours?
Understanding the beliefs that drive your financial behaviour can help you form healthier money habits. - What Canadian finance pros need to know about money and mental health
Insight into how financial stress and trauma can manifest in client interactions and what professionals can do to help.
How to boost your financial well-being
- What is financial well‑being? What it means to Canadians
Financial well‑being is about aligning the money you have with the life you want; this article reviews research and practical implications. - Flow state vs. cash flow: Make better money decisions by discovering your flow state
Explore how understanding flow can guide budgeting, spending and investing decisions that increase satisfaction. - How to live a rich life
Practical advice on making financial choices that reflect your values, not just your balance sheet. - How ADHD can affect your finances
Personal and tactical strategies from a financial educator who adapted money systems to work with a neurodivergent brain.
How to increase your confidence around financial planning
- How financial advisors can help at different life stages
Guidance on when and how an advisor can support major life transitions, from starting a family to retirement planning. - Financial planning for the first time? A guide for women on a single income
Actionable steps for single earners to prioritize savings, debt management and long‑term planning. - How to choose a financial advisor in Canada
Key questions and criteria to help you find an advisor who matches your needs and values.
Tools
Find a qualified financial advisor near you
Search our directory of credentialed advisors offering financial and investment services across Canada.
How to get smarter about your finances
- The best free personal finance and investing courses in Canada
A curated list of free courses to help you build knowledge on budgeting, investing and long‑term planning. - Top 25 timeless personal finance books
Recommended reading from money experts that can improve investing, career decisions and retirement planning. - How to find trustworthy finfluencers—plus, 5 to follow right now
Tips for evaluating personal‑finance advice online and identifying reliable creators.
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