Having a good day? Thought not.

But there's a good reason for the gloom that's hanging around -- not just you but your family and colleagues.

And you're probably off the diet, back on the fags and have forgotten the route to the gym.

A combination of financial, health and other factors make today the most depressing day of the year.

WINTER

Psychologist Dr David Lewis said that January 12 coincided with post-Christmas money shortages, winter weather, being back at work and a long wait until the next public holiday.

The cognitive neuropsychologist pioneered non-medical applications for a procedure which is known as quantified electroencephalography, which explores what people are thinking and feeling by analysing electrical activity in their brain.

He said: "While moods obviously change according to an individual's circumstances, there are several possible reasons why so many seem to find Monday 12 the most depressing day of the year.''

Dr Lewis, author of One Minute Stress Management and the man credited with coining the term 'road rage', identified six main causes for feeling down at this time of the year.

Firstly, it is the day when the true cost of Christmas hits home and people worry about how much they spent over the festive season and how they are going to pay the bills.

By January 12, most will have given up New Year's resolutions and feel guilty about it, he said.

Dr Lewis also pointed out that the majority of people will have been back at work for a week, pushing the fun of Christmas and New Year to a distant memory.

STRESS

In addition, he suggested that Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) often kicks in following the festivities as people struggle to overcome the "winter blues''.

Moreover, if you consider that there are two months to go until the next public holiday -- St Patrick's Day -- the stresses of the year ahead start to dawn.

Finally, on January 12, it will be another 76 days before the clocks go back and summertime begins and brings an end to dark mornings and evenings.

But there is something you can do to ease the misery.

The psychologist recommended taking a hot bath to cheer up today.

He said: "This helps ease away muscle tension and, by drawing blood closer to the surface, increases relaxation which will inevitably improve your mood.

"Enhance the experience still further by using relaxing aromatherapy oil in your tub while listening to chilled out, soothing music.''

And bath experts say that the formula for the perfect relaxing bath requires getting the water to 39C, filling it with 80 litres of water, using two capfuls of bubble bath and spending 12 minutes soaking.

- Paula Fentiman