Blue Monday: Make It the Most Productive Day of the Year for Your Team

Let’s turn Blue Monday into Blew-through-my-to-do-list Monday. 

The New Year is an opportunity for everyone to turn over a fresh leaf and for businesses to hit the ground running. It’s all really exciting, right? Well… kind of. 

There is one thing getting in the way of the back-to-work buzz and it’s known as Blue Monday at work. The third Monday of January has earned a not-so-fun reputation of being the most depressing day of the year. 

But here’s the thing; it doesn’t have to be that way.

For business owners and HR professionals, Blue Monday is an opportunity to meaningfully support your team. So rather than letting the mid-January gloom take over, use this day as a springboard for connection, motivation and genuine wellbeing. It’s your chance to show your team you’re in their corner and to spark a more positive, people-focused culture that carries through the rest of the year.

Not sure how? Employment Hero, alongside Gill Wetherill, Founder, Full Circle HR has a few suggestions.  Let’s dive in. 

What is Blue Monday?

We’ve all heard of it, but what is Blue Monday? It sounds simple, but before you, as a business owner or HR professional can combat it, you need to understand it. 

So let’s get one thing straight: Blue Monday at work isn’t based on hard science. It was actually created in 2005 as part of a marketing campaign by a UK travel company to sell more holidays. They even came up with a formula to pinpoint the most depressing day of the year, mixing variables like debt, weather and low motivation. Crazy, right?

Regardless of where it came from, the concept struck a chord for a reason. It gives a name to a very real dip in mood that many people experience in mid-January. This is especially true in the UK, where the term “Blue Monday UK” trends every year as short, gloomy days and post-holiday realities set in.

But, what’s really behind the slump? Well, it’s a combination of factors:

• The holiday hangover: The festive season is officially over and your team are realising that it’s time to get back into their normal routine… and back into work mode. 
• Financial strain: December is expensive, but no one thinks about that until January’s bills start coming in. And facing the employee financial strain of December’s splurge can hit you like a freight train. For many employees, this pressure is made even worse by the long gap between being paid in December and receiving their next pay in January. That extended break between pay cycles can leave budgets stretched thin and financial stress at an all-time high.
• Winter blues: In the UK, the lack of sunlight can be a real struggle throughout the winter. Having less sunlight can lead to lower energy levels and for some, contribute to Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a type of depression related to seasonal changes. 
• Broken resolutions: The initial burst of motivation for New Year’s resolutions can start to fall off the wagon and it’s easy to fall back into old habits and feel demotivated. 

But stay with us, it’s not all doom and gloom. And Blue Monday at work isn’t a problem to be ignored. It’s an opportunity, a chance to show your team that you understand the human side of work and to proactively boost morale when they need it most.

Why Blue Monday at work matters

So, a marketing stunt gave a name to a feeling many people already had. But you’re probably wondering how this relates to the work life of your employees. 

The simple answer is because these feelings are rarely left at home. They walk right into the workplace, impacting everything from team morale to your bottom line. And it’s important to remember that Blue Monday isn’t about one person having an off day. It’s a collective dip that can ripple through your entire team. 

As a result, focus, motivation and business results take a hit. Before you know it, Blue Monday at work is causing: 

• Productivity slumps: An employee worried about bills or feeling drained and uninspired isn’t going to do their best work. Engagement drops, deadlines might slip and the overall quality of work can decline.
• Team morale: Negative energy is contagious. One person’s low mood can quickly spread, creating a flat and demotivated atmosphere for everyone. This makes collaboration harder and can strain team relationships.
• Increased absenteeism: When people feel mentally and emotionally drained, they’re more likely to call in sick, leading to an increase in employee absenteeism. But ‘presenteeism’, being physically at work but mentally checked out, is just as costly.

We get it, it isn’t your job as a business owner or HR professional to manage the emotions of your team and it’s easy to brush off this slump as “just a case of the Mondays”. But what if you flipped the script and turned the most depressing day of the year into the happiest working day of the year? 

How to make Blue Monday the happiest day of the year

Blue Monday reminder: It’s okay if your KPI today is Keeping People Inspired.

We’ve said it enough times already, Blue Monday 2026 could be a real downer but let’s focus on using your skills and expertise to turn it into a positive.

It’s not about grand, expensive gestures. It’s about being intentional and showing your people you’re in their corner. Let’s shift the mindset for 2026; Blue Monday isn’t something to get through,  it’s a chance to help your team thrive.

Gill highlights the importance of goal setting to combat the Blue Monday morning slump: 

“On Monday morning identify your 3 main goals for the week – whether they’re big or small, these are the key things that you must make sure you tackle this week – no excuses! Next, put a note in your calendar for Wednesday morning to ‘Review progress against goals’ – this gives you a reminder – Don’t ignore it, take 10 minutes to review and get back on track if needed. Now think about which of those 3 goals feels the hardest one, the one you’re most likely to put off – and tackle it first instead! Then give yourself a little reward by doing something nice for you.”

Here are some other practical ways to transform it into the most positive day of the year.

Kick things off with good energy

The mood of the morning sets the tone for the entire day. But instead of leaning into this, push back against the beginning of the year blues. It’s time to bring the energy. 

Some of our suggestions for setting the tone are: 

• Create a playlist: Lift the mood from the get-go by putting on upbeat music or for remote teams, sharing a link to a playlist. Music is a powerful mood booster, so keep it lively without being distracting. 
• Fuel them up: Everyone loves a freebie…and free food? Even better. So start the day on a high with a team breakfast. Whether it’s pastries, fruit or bacon sandwiches, it’s a great way to bring everyone together.
• Virtual morning boost: Don’t worry, the fun isn’t reserved for in person teams. If you’re remote, kick start the day with a short, energetic video call. Think ice-breakers or games. The goal? Help everyone to start strong, together.

Create moments of genuine connection

When your team members feel low, they often pull back and isolate themselves. The problem is, this only makes things worse. The World Health Organization found that people who are lonely are twice as likely to experience depression, creating a tough cycle to break. None of this is ideal for your team or for your business. 

The positive spin on this, however, is that as a business owner or HR manager, you can disrupt this pattern. How? By creating moments of connection at work. 

Making it easy for genuine conversations and small bursts of fun throughout the day can make a huge difference to your team’s wellbeing. Here are a couple of easy ideas: 

• Schedule a “no work” lunch: Lunch should be a time for your team to reset and return refreshed for the afternoon, it’s also a chance to create moments of connection. Encourage your team to socialise by providing a catered lunch or by giving everyone a voucher for a local spot and insist they take a full hour. The only rule? No talking about work.

Gill’s tip: With the dark nights drawing in, this time of year is more important than ever for leaders to keep their team motivated. Encourage teams to take a lunch break away from their desk to get them refreshed and motivated for the afternoon ahead.

• Organise a fun activity: Mix up the day with something light-hearted, like a quiz with a quirky prize, a board game face-off or even a paper aeroplane challenge. The goal is simple; break the routine, get people laughing and feeling connected. 

Put wellbeing front and centre

Employee wellbeing should always be a consideration, but that doesn’t mean you can’t take advantage of an opportunity to shine a light on it. 

Blue Monday is the perfect excuse to kick off a fresh wellness initiative and show your people you genuinely care—about their mental health, physical energy and everything in between. Here are a few simple ways to weave wellbeing into the day:

• Book in a bite-sized workshop: Bring in a pro for a quick session on mindfulness, stress hacks or managing money. Real, practical skills—not waffle—your team can use long after Blue Monday.
• Get moving: It’s easy to sit in the same position at work all day. But we all know this isn’t healthy. Combat this by setting aside time to get moving. It could be as simple as a lunchtime walk, walking meeting or more structured like a gentle yoga session. Getting the body moving is a powerful way to clear the mind.

Gills tip: Walking 121s are a great way for leaders to catch up with team members, either in person or on the phone. The benefits of getting fresh air, exercise and a break from the screen is priceless and it lets employees know you are invested in their wellbeing.

• Encourage proper breaks: Many people are guilty of not taking a proper break throughout the day. So as a business owner or HR professional, it’s important to lead by example. Actively encourage your team to step away from their desks, get some fresh air and recharge.

Celebrate your people

Shining a light on great work lifts everyone’s spirits. In fact, businesses who rate themselves well for employee recognition are 40% less likely to have retention problems. 

Make Blue Monday the day you go big on recognition. Let your people know they’re valued, seen and their efforts haven’t gone unnoticed. When you celebrate your team, you banish the gloom…. and that’s what we all want, right?

Some simple ways to celebrate your people include: 

• Run a rapid-fire shout-outs session: Take 15 minutes and go around the (virtual) room. Invite everyone to call out a teammate who’s gone the extra mile, made them laugh or made their job easier. These moments of recognition fuel connection and give the whole team a lift.
• Drop a thank-you note: Take the time to jot a quick, personal thank-you to each team member, shouting out a win or effort you’ve noticed. It’s low cost, big impact and lands more than you might think. It’s a small gesture that says, “Hey, I see you”. 

Offer the gift of flexibility

The pressures of January are real. A little breathing room in the form of flexibility shows you understand your team’s needs and that you have their backs. When you hand back some control, you boost morale and prove you trust your people to manage their own day.

A few ways you can support your team through offering flexibility include:

• Allow a late start or early finish: Gift your team an extra hour or two back in their day. It’s a simple gesture that says, “I trust you and I appreciate everything you’re doing.” Offering a bit of breathing room in the form of flexible working can make a big difference.
• Declare a “meeting-free” afternoon: Sometimes what your team needs is a meeting-free afternoon so they can sink their teeth into some deep work. So hit pause on the back-to-backs and give everyone a stretch of uninterrupted, pressure-free time. It’s a chance to reset, get on top of work and feel a little more human again. Sometimes the best gift is just space to breathe.

Blue Monday at work isn’t fixed by a single action, it’s changed by building a culture where people feel supported, connected and genuinely valued. Every action you take sparks bigger change. 

Sure, you’ll brighten a tough day, but the real win? Stronger connections, lasting trust and a team that’s energised and committed long after Blue Monday is over. When you invest in your people’s happiness, you’re setting your business up to thrive all year round.

It’s time to flip the script on Blue Monday at work

Blue Monday doesn’t have to be the gloomiest day on the calendar. While its origins may be a marketing gimmick, the feelings it represents—the post-holiday slump, financial strain and winter blues—are very real for your team. But as a business owner or HR manager, you have the power to change the narrative.

Ignoring this dip in morale is a missed opportunity. Stepping up is your chance to show your team that you see them as people and are invested in their wellbeing. It’s a moment to prove that you’re building a different, better kind of workplace.

By bringing the energy, fostering genuine connection and putting wellbeing front and centre, you can do more than just survive a single day. You can transform it into a launchpad for a more positive, connected and resilient company culture that lasts all year long.

So, let this be the year you don’t just let Blue Monday happen. Use it as a reason to celebrate your people, boost morale and start a conversation about what truly matters. Make it your team’s happiest day of the year and show everyone what a truly great place to work looks like.

Looking to improve your employee experience not just on Blue Monday, but every day? Discover how Employment Hero can help you build a team that thrives, all year round.