IT’S cold, wet, you are skint and you have broken all your new year’s resolutions already – it’s no surprise
a psychologist is claiming today is the most depressing day of the year.
Cliff Arnall says his infamous formula ([W+(D-d)])*T^Q)/(M*Na) – with variables including W for weather, M for low motivational levels and T for days since Christmas – points towards today as being the day when every single thing that could ever possibly make you miserable is exactly as bad as it could ever possibly be.
Of course, it’s not quite true: the formula was invented by public relations firm Porter Novelli as part of a marketing campaign for a travel firm and it shopped around scientists until they found one who was willing to put his name to it.
In fact, it is impossible to get any kind of date out of the formula – it’s essentially nonsense.
But there is no denying the post-Christmas slump is one of the worst times of year for many people, who find themselves brought down by cataract-grey skies, the after-effects of Yuletime over-indulgence, and the creeping dread of yet another year wasted.
On top of that, up to one in eight of us have some form of Seasonal Affective Disorder, symptoms of which include a lack of energy,
an increased need to sleep, withdrawal from friends and family and depressive moods.
The condition is linked a lack of exposure to sunlight, making it particularly prevalent at the kind of northern latitude that Glasgow lies on.
Everyone has their own way of surviving the winter blues, be it throwing themselves into their work, or throwing a dram or two down themselves.
Confectionary chain Thornton’s is helping the effort to beat the January slump by handing out a million free chocolate Melts today.
Even the promise of free chocolate, though, might not be enough to coax some out of their grump. So we begrudgingly took to the cold, grey streets of Glasgow to ask: what are you doing to beat the winter blues?
CHERITH SCOULAR, 23, West End, charity worker
“I’m eating lots of pasta and salads – they remind me of holidays in Italy. Apart from that, I’m working hard and studying hard.”
KATE MAIDENS, 23, West End, student
“I don’t get the blues! I like the snow, I like the cold and I ignore my friends when they’re moaning.”
LYNSAY DOCHERTY, 25, City Centre, mother
“I’m staying in with my new baby –he’s taking up all of my time at the moment.”
ALISTAIR CRERAR, 24, Maryhill, building surveyor
“Whatever I’m doing, it isn’t working! But if I had the money, I’d book a holiday. I’d love to go skiing right now.”
GERAINT BEVAN, 35, George Cross, lecturer
“I’m just a happy guy. Glasgow’s a great place to be right now. I have no blues!”
JESSICA SANCHEZ, 20, Ayr, student
“Get some music playing loud. Funk’s good to dance to. Blues goes a long way in this weather too, oddly enough.”
CALLUM GILLAN, 19, Bathgate, student
“I’m staying indoors with the heating on full blast, and getting on with my work, if possible – it’s a nightmare travelling.”
DEREK SCOTT, 22, Dunbartonshire, student
“I think the trick is to never really get sober enough to get the blues. It works for me.”
