Is It The ‘Saddest Week of the Year’? – Fact or Fake?

Monday, January 6th was supposedly the "Saddest Day of the Year," because of our debt, the weather, the post-holiday let down, and the fact that it's the first full work week of the year. That makes this the "Saddest Week of the Year."

Is this fact, or fake?

The concept of the "Saddest Day of the Year" cropped up first around 2005 according to UK's Guardian. Psychologist Cliff Arnall produced a formula that claimed to show which was the most "depressing" day of the year.

Of course this was all bunk and Arnall was on the payroll of a British travel company that was just trying to get people to buy vacations.

Still, there are studies that show Seasonal Affected Disorder (SAD) does affect a small portion of the population. Less than 10% of Americans suffer from SAD, but the food and drink overindulgence during the holidays, combined with seasonal stress, can leave many people starting the New Year exhausted. And with no more celebrations to look forward to energy and mood drop sharply.

So was Monday, January 6th the "Saddest Day of the Year," and is this "The Saddest Week of the Year?" Nope. Fake.

[Via National Weather Service, Guardian]