Ten Ways To Beat The Blues

January 24th is the bleakest day in the calendar for Britons and one remedy proposed by academics is a visit to Australia. Many people have moved permanently to sunnier climes to avoid the seasonal affective disorder that laid them low in a British winter.

Dr Cliff Arnall, an expert in seasonal disorders at Cardiff University has produced a formula to predict the worse day of the year.

The model is [W + (D-d)] x TQ M x NA

• W – Weather: This takes account of the depression in weather systems which affects the UK around January, bringing with it low dark cloud, cold wet and sleet conditions and very little sunlight.
• D – Debt: The amount of debt we’ve accumulated over the Christmas period – the greater the difference between the amount owed and the amount paid off the greater the depression. We are also stretched by the pressure of January sales.
• T – Time since Christmas: Recharging during the Christmas bank holidays gives us a positive feeling towards work and new plans but this feeling begins to wear off by the third week of January.
• Q – Time since failed quit attempt: Having made New Year’s resolutions, within an average of 6-7 days the majority of people will return to their old habits. This results in a sense of failure.
• M – General motivational levels: Following party season, it dawns on us that the fun is over. A return to normal work and domestic is depressing.
• NA – The need to take action: This refers to the human need to look forward to positive things. The realisation that the party is over makes now an ideal time to organise something to look forward to provide a motivating focus, for example saving for a holiday.

Ten Ways To Beat The Winter Gloom

Virginia Ironside and Dr Stephen Joseph of Warwick University, and Phillip Hodson, of the British Association of Counselling suggest in The Independent 10 ways of beating the gloom:

1. Make sure you get up, get dressed and try to look good – don’t leave off make-up.
2. Make a list of those you know, and how you affect their lives in a positive way.
3. Exercise – it can change your mood.
4. Remember it is “Blue Monday” – you are not the only one feeling blue.
5. Indulge in a gratification exercise – take 15 minutes to write three things you are grateful for such as your health, Christmas presents and friends.
6. Buy a light box – this can help those driven to depression in winter by lack of light.
7. Try to be more disciplined with your bed-times
8. Think like the Opposition party – ie from a different point of view.
9. Try a good book and a glass of wine.
10. Visit Australia (it’s lighter).