The Commercial Myth and the Reality of Emotions
I did not feel more sad today than any other day, I experienced a range of emotions, but not conscious sadness. How about you?
The concept of “Blue Monday,” a supposedly saddest day of the year, was introduced by psychologist Cliff Arnall a decade ago. This idea is more commercial than scientific, as it lacks solid evidence. In fact, the travel agency Sky Travel created this notion in 2005 as a marketing strategy to encourage vacations during these dates.
The power of marketing has led many to believe that on the third Monday, it’s acceptable to feel down, as if this emotion magically disappears the next day. However, sadness is not merely a collective feeling; everyone has other truly sad days throughout the year. Emotions do not adhere to calendar dates.
The Gallup Global Workplace Report and Emotional Impact
Despite the commercial nature of such dates, they provide opportunities to discuss the significance of emotions. According to Gallup’s Global Workplace Report 2025, emotions play a crucial role in the work environment.
Based on this report, 23% of global workers experience sadness daily, a figure that has remained high (25% in 2020) since the survey began in 2009, when it was at 16%. Among the emotions measured, sadness is more prevalent than loneliness (22%) and anger (21%), though it’s less common than stress (40%) and fulfillment (33%).
When sadness becomes a constant emotion, it could indicate a deeper issue—depression.
World Health Day Against Depression: A Genuine Concern
Unlike Blue Monday, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations (UN) established the International Day of Fight Against Depression (January 13) to raise awareness about a condition affecting over 300 million people worldwide.
In Mexico, 3.6 million people are diagnosed with depression, but according to the Inegi’s Well-being Self-Reported Module 2025, 13.8 million show signs of this disorder, and an estimated 34.8 million have experienced depressive episodes.
The WHO states that mental health disorders, including anxiety and depression, are frequent worldwide, affecting all ages and income levels. They constitute the second most common cause of long-term disability, reduce healthy life years, incur healthcare costs for affected individuals and families, and cause substantial economic losses globally.
The Impact of Depression on the Workplace
Depression affects not only those who suffer from it but also teams and organizations. Emotions do not stay at home; they travel to offices, factories, and video calls, translating into absenteeism, turnover, errors, decreased productivity, and a loss of purpose at work.
The WHO and ILO estimate that 12 billion workdays are lost annually due to depression and anxiety, costing an estimated $1 trillion in productivity.
Companies that understand this prioritize emotional well-being as a strategic investment, not an expense. Those who believe this doesn’t impact routine work are either naive or haven’t closely observed their team’s demeanor on a typical Monday.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is Blue Monday? A commercial concept suggesting the third Monday of January is the saddest day, lacking scientific backing.
- What does the Gallup Global Workplace Report say about emotions at work? 23% of global workers experience daily sadness, with stress and fulfillment being more prevalent emotions.
- What is the International Day of Fight Against Depression? A genuine awareness campaign by WHO and UN, focusing on a condition affecting over 300 million people.
- How does depression impact the workplace? It affects not only those suffering but also teams and organizations, causing absenteeism, decreased productivity, and a loss of purpose.
- Why should companies prioritize emotional well-being? Prioritizing employee emotional health is a strategic investment, not an expense, impacting daily work routines.
