If January had a ‘meh’ button, you’d probably be pushing it today. Monday 19 January 2026 has officially been labelled this year’s Blue Monday – supposedly the gloomiest day of the next 12 months. The festive buzz has vanished. The weather’s a shade of wet-grey we never asked for. And the post-Christmas bills are now very, very real. But here’s the truth. The science behind Blue Monday is pretty wobbly. A marketing agency coined the term years ago to help sell holidays in the New Year. And it well and truly stuck. Still, even if the formula is nonsense, the feeling usually isn’t. January can really test your mood, which is why today’s the perfect time to hit refresh. To help you defy the gloom, we’ve rounded up five simple, proven ways to lift your spirits. Plus, to really brighten up your month, we are giving you the chance to win a high-tech self-care treat: the