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#STOPBLUEMONDAY

The Canary Islands form the backdrop to overturn the phenomenon of Blue Monday and demystify the theory proposed by British psychologist Cliff Arnall, who determined in a study published in 2005 that the third Monday of the year is the most depressing day. To refute his conclusion and halter the forces of pessimism, the Canary Islands' tourist board has created the #StopBlueMonday initiative, which uses the archipelago's natural resources to show that the formula is mistaken and does not hold true in home of the "best climate in the world".

This year, Blue Monday falls on 18 January and the creator of the theory has visited Tenerife to join the movement to foster optimism and encourage "the creation of happiness everyday",

During his visit to the archipelago, the academic from the University of Cardiff remarked that "it's hard to imagine a place so charged with life just a few hours from the centre of Europe". Arnall admits that on the Canary Islands "it's impossible to feel depressed with so many bright, sunny days, brimming with the energy transmitted by the island's volcanoes and its revitalising natural environment".

CAN YOU WRITE YOUR COMMENT TO #STOPBLUEMONDAY?

BLUE MONDAY

On 18 January, it will be upon us. Brace yourself for Blue Monday, the third Monday of January – “the most depressing day of the year”, when we are all at our most melancholy, according to the psychologist Dr Cliff Arnall.

In 2005 a television publicist persuaded him to create a “scientific formula” that looked so spectacularly superscience-y  that on a slow news day editors were powerless to resist.

It was: [W+(D-d)]xTQ/MxNA – where W is weather, D is debt, d monthly salary, T time since Christmas, Q time since failure of attempt to give something up, M low motivational level and NA the need to take action.  

but.... don't we have many reasons to think today isn't the saddest day of the year? 

Did you cry on your way to work this morning? Are you wondering why you even bothered to leave the house? Does your life feel more empty and futile than ever? If so, congratulations! You have unwittingly become part of an entirely made-up day of despair, nattily christened Blue Monday by someone even more miserable than you.  

The idea behind the ridiculous moniker is that the third Monday in January is the bleakest day of the year. But we disagree. Here are ten reasons why today is actually pretty darn excellent, with perky exclamation marks for added cheer:

WE'RE NOT GOING TO DIE!

An asteroid a third of mile wide that currently careering towards the earth is going to miss, by about 745,000 miles. Once this has failed to wipe out humanity (hurrah!) we're safe until 2027, when 1999AN10 will give it a jolly good go. 

WE HAVE A DREAM!

It’s Martin Luther King Day, which means you can legitimately spend time reading these inspiring speeches.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Dolly Parton turns 68 today. Any world with Dolly in it is a happy world.

SPORT!

After a rather dismal 2014, Andy Murray has made a cracking start to his Australian Open bid, beating Yuki Bambrhi in straight sets.

MUSIC!

The Decemberists’ latest album is out today. It’s called ‘What A Terrible World, What a Beautiful World’, so let’s focus on the latter, and the Oregon folk-rockers’ contribution to helping make it so. Choruses that can’t fail to uplift you.

EBOLA!

...has been eradicated in Mali.

TATTOOS!

Today's news that will make you question everything you think you know to be true: Judi Dench has Harvey Weinstein's name tattooed on her bottom. She had 'JD loves HW'  permanently etched onto her body as thanks for his part in persuading her to take the role of Queen Victoria in Mrs Brown, unveiling it to Weinstein at the Four Seasons, in front of Carly Simon, Nora Ephron and Mike Nichols. If that fails to make you smile, there may be something wrong with you.

INEQUALITY!

Is actually decreasing worldwide, for the first time since the Industrial Revolution.

FOX NEWS!

Have apologised, again. Are we soon to be living in a marginally less insane world?

CAMPAIGNS!

A series of auctions held for the Independent's Homeless Veterans Appeal raised almost £50,000. You can donate here.

....And if all of this fails to cheer you, it's only 74 days until the next bank holiday

CAN YOU THINK OF OTHER REASONS TO BELIEVE THAT TODAY ISN'T A BLUE DAY?

NEW YEAR RESOLUTIONS

NEW YEAR RESOLUTIONS

New Year's Eve has always been a time for looking back to the past, and more importantly, forward to the coming year. It's a time to reflect on the changes we want (or need) to make and resolve to follow through on those changes. Did your New Year resolutions make our top ten list?

1. Spend More Time with Family & Friends

Recent polls conducted by General Nutrition Centers, Quicken, and others shows that more than 50% of Americans vow to appreciate loved ones and spend more time with family and friends this year. Make plans to meet up with friends for an evening of comaraderie at a restaurant or take the family to one of those popular places for family fun. Work shouldn't always come first!

2. Fit in Fitness

The evidence is in for fitness. Regular exercise has been associated with more health benefits than anything else known to man. Studies show that it reduces the risk of some cancers, increases longevity, helps achieve and maintain weight loss, enhances mood, lowers blood pressure, and even improves arthritis. In short, exercise keeps you healthy and makes you look and feel better. Why not make this the time to start getting in shape for one of those popular sports centers? 

3. Tame the Bulge

Over 66 percent of adult Americans are considered overweight or obese by recent studies, so it is not surprising to find that weight loss is one of the most popular New Year's resolutions. Setting reasonable goals and staying focused are the two most important factors in sticking with a weight loss program, and the key to success for those millions of Americans who made a New Year's commitment to shed extra pounds. 

4. Quit Smoking

If you have resolved to make this the year that you stamp out your smoking habit, over-the-counter availability of nicotine replacement therapy now provides easier access to proven quit-smoking aids. Even if you've tried to quit before and failed, don't let it get you down. On average, smokers try about four times before they quit for good. Start enjoying the rest of your smoke-free life! Even Allegheny County is trying to go smoke-free, and it's taken them a few tries as well. Locally, there are a variety of free support services, hotlines and smoking cessation classes to help you kick the smoking habit. 

5. Enjoy Life More

Given the hectic, stressful lifestyles of millions of Americans, it is no wonder that "enjoying life more" has become a popular resolution in recent years. It's an important step to a happier and healthier you! Consider one of your city's healing centers for products designed to bring balance to your body, mind and soul. Or just get out and try something new! Take up a new hobby or try your hand at skiing. Go to a theater performance, or head to the local. Your city offers a wealth of artistic and recreational activities to meet just about anyone's wishes. 

6. Quit Drinking

While many people use the New Year as an incentive to finally stop drinking, most are not equipped to make such a drastic lifestyle change all at once. Many heavy drinkers fail to quit cold turkey but do much better when they taper gradually, or even learn to moderate their drinking. If you have decided that you want to stop drinking, there is a world of help and support available. There are also a number of treatment-based programs, as well as support groups for families of alcoholics. 

7. Get Out of Debt

Was money a big source of stress in your life last year? Join the millions of Americans who have resolved to spend this year getting a handle on their finances. It's a promise that will repay itself many times over in the year ahead. 

8. Learn Something New

Have you vowed to make this year the year to learn something new? Perhaps you are considering a career change, want to learn a new language, or just how to fix your computer? Whether you take a course or read a book, you'll find education to be one of the easiest, most motivating New Year's resolutions to keep. The Community College of Allegheny County offers a wide variety of "lifelong learning" courses, and local YMCA's offer great recreational training for beginners of all ages. Most local colleges and universities offer distance and adult education programs. Or if the arts are more your thing, places such as a local center for arts and crafts will be the right option for you.

9. Help Others

A popular, non-selfish New Year's resolution, volunteerism can take many forms. Whether you choose to spend time helping out at your local library, mentoring a child, or building a house, there are many nonprofit volunteer organizations that could really use your help. The local Cares organization makes it easy by connecting volunteers with projects to fit practically any schedule. Or if your time is really in short supply, maybe you can at least find it in you to donate the furniture, clothing and other household items that you no longer need, rather than leaving them out by the curb to fill up our landfills. 

10. Get Organized

On just about every New Year resolution top ten list, organization can be a very reasonable goal. Whether you want your home organized enough that you can invite someone over on a whim, or your office organized enough that you can find the stapler when you need it, these tips and resources should get you started on the way to a more organized life. It is pretty sure that your city has quite a few professional orgainzers who can help you reduce the clutter in your life and find peace in your home.

NOW... IT'S YOUR TURN! 

What are your resolutions for this new year? Write a short list of your 5 top New Year's Resolutions giving reasons why you have chosen such ones.

•  Ask your parents about theirs , are they different from Americans ones?

NEW YEAR PROMISES

A completely new way of making new year's resolutions. Watch this great video from "Because I said I would and write down what are your promises for this year that has just started! While watching the video try to write down the promises you understand!