It’s the most miserable day of the year but laughter’s the best medicine in Southampton

But Hampshire residents would be forgiven for wanting to stay in bed a little longer today, as it’s officially the most depressing day of the year.

Known as Blue Monday, the phenomenon occurs annually and is calculated using a formula based on six depressing factors.

These include a general lack of sunshine, spiralling debts and Christmas holidays fast becoming a distant memory Also calculated into the equation are the failed New Year’s resolutions, low motivational levels, a lack of holiday to look forward to and pay day being more than a week away for many workers.

January has long been regarded as a miserable month but the formula devised by former Cardiff University Professor Dr Cliff Arnall means that statistical depression will peak today.

The news comes as research by The Money Shop reveals 28 per cent of Southampton residents fear losing their jobs and 68 per cent dread the weekly shop due to rising prices.

Miserable Monday will also coincide with 56 per cent of Southampton consumers being noticeably worse off than they were three months ago.

A further 96 per cent of city residents are planning a ‘staycation’ rather than holidaying abroad.

The Daily Echo dispatched reporter Simon ‘Comedy’ Carr to the streets of Southampton in a bid to cheer everyone up.

Dressed in a clown suit, Simon spent the day telling jokes to unsuspecting members of the public.

Clown costume hired from Southampton’s Just For Fun, 023 8022 1494.