Ottawa dancers beat back ‘Blue Monday’ blues at the NAC

Ottawa resident Pauline Bergeron dances at the NAC capital sessions free dance workshop event on Jan. 19, 2025. (Kimberley Johnson/CTV News Ottawa)

Feb. 20 is “Blue Monday,” considered by some to be the saddest day of the year. But it doesn’t have to be.

Blue Monday is the third week of January and can be a low time of year for some. It was originally a marketing tactic used by U.K. travel company Sky Travel in 2005, but it has since caught on to resonate with many who struggle with their mental health during the cold winter months.

On Sunday, some Ottawa residents joined in a free dance group, hoping to have some fun and beat back the winter blues.

The event takes place once a month at the National Arts Centre (NAC) and held by Capital Sessions. It’s a free workshop that teaches dance and provides a free space to those who join.

Eight-year-old Evelyn McCarthy says when she’s on the dancefloor, she can just shake it off.

“I feel like I’m just being myself,” she said. “And I just go with the flow.”

Her dad Michael McCarthy says getting out and being active in different ways during the cold month of January is more important than ever. He also says the father-daughter time is invaluable.

“The windows that we see here are not a tablet. The music that we see here is engaging,” he said. “And I think that physical exercise is extremely important.”

Participants are given a half hour of instruction before some free dance time. The group features DJ’s and instructors, but organizer Rise Ashen says people are free to do what they like.

“It’s this way to express yourself and to move,” he said. “And we’re really built to dance as humans.”

Christan “Cee” Ancheta is a professional dancer and agrees.

“It’s also very social,” he said.

“There’s people around, you’re interacting, there’s music, it’s very high energy and it’s always good to get a good sweat out.”

Dr. Micheal Mak, a psychiatrist at the Centre for Addictions and Mental Health (CAMH), says it can be a difficult time of year for many people.

“I wouldn’t say that the third Monday of January every year is the most depressing day of the year,” Mak said.

“But it is drawing attention to an idea that is true, which is, for countries that are north of the equator, like Canada, winter months like January can be quite depressing.”

Mak says up to five per cent of people can get serious depression. He has suggestions to help beat back the blues, including getting bright light through sunlight or a bright therapy lamp, getting exercise and reaching out to family and friends.

“It’s a time to connect with each other to make sure that everyone’s doing okay mood wise,” he said. “Social activities, social interaction, might improve your mood as well.”

The next capital sessions event is scheduled for Feb. 23 at the NAC.