Move Your Body, Lift Your Mood: Challenging the “most depressing day of the year

Blue Monday is often called the “most depressing day of the year”. It is the third Monday in January and in 2026 it falls on Monday 19 January. The idea started in 2005 when a travel company claimed to use a special formula. It looked at the weather, money worries, time since Christmas and broken New Year goals.

Experts agree that Blue Monday is not real. There is no proof that one day is more depressing than any other. Even so, many mental health groups still use it as a reminder to pause, talk and look after ourselves.

This year, Luke Newman, founder of ‘For Men To Talk’, is taking on a big personal challenge for Blue Monday, and he will not be doing it alone. Members from Jones’ Fitness in Biggleswade will be joining him to take on both parts of the challenge together.

Why being active matters:

The World Health Organisation (WHO) says being active helps everyone, at any age, live a healthier life. You do not need to train like an athlete. Small changes across the day really help.

Adults aged 18 to 64 should aim for:

• At least 150 minutes of moderate activity each week, or
• 75 minutes of harder activity, or a mix of both
• For extra health, build this up to 300 minutes per week
• Do muscle-strength work two or more days a week

Even a short walk is better than doing nothing.

The 650 Myzone Challenge

On Blue Monday, Luke and other members from Jones’ Fitness will take on the 650 Myzone Challenge. Myzone uses a wearable heart rate system that rewards effort, not speed or strength. Users earn Myzone Effort Points, known as MEPs. A normal monthly target is 1,300 MEPs, which matches the WHO activity advice.

So earning 650 MEPs in one day is huge. It is half of the full monthly target in just a single day. That is like doing two weeks of exercise in one go.

Luke and the Jones’ Fitness team will also be using the day to raise money and awareness for the local men’s mental health group, ‘For Men To Talk’.

As Luke says, “Taking on this challenge together shows men that they do not have to face things on their own, whether that is exercise or their mental health.”

What is For Men To Talk?

For Men To Talk is a peer support group for men who are dealing with anxiety, depression, grief and other mental health problems.

It offers safe spaces to talk through:

• In-person meetings
• Online sessions
• Walking meet-ups
• Fishing groups

It is about connection and knowing you are not alone.

The 3250 Myzone Challenge

While some will be taking part in the 650 Challenge, some members are pushing themselves even further with the 3250 Myzone Challenge.

This means aiming to earn 3,250 Myzone Effort Points (MEPs) across the whole month. That is five times the World Health Organisation (WHO) activity target and a powerful way to stay active well beyond Blue Monday.

Blue Monday may be a myth, but the tough feelings many people have in January are real. Cold weather and dark evenings can make everything feel harder 

So on Monday 19 January, or even across the whole month, try to move your body, check in with someone, or reach out for support.

To find out more about For Men To Talk, visit www.formentotalk.co.uk, call 07709 446480, or email luke@formentotalk.co.uk.

You can donate at https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/fmttbluemondaymepschallenge