24th January: Gloomsday

24 January is Gloomsday, the most depressing day of the year according to Dr Cliff Arnall, a Cardiff Psychologist. His January Blues day formula is W + (D-d)3/8 x TQ M x NA, Where W = weather, D =Debt, d = money due in January pay, T = time since Christmas, Q = time since failure to quit bad habit, M = general motivation and NA = Need to do something about it. The formula has an economic function - it is a good predictor for travel companies of when people are most likely to book a summer holiday to give themselves something to look forward to.

Feeling fed up? Ten pearls of wisdom to help you feel better:

1. Do not despair whatever happens for behind the clouds is always the rainbow. L Frank Baum
2. Noble deeds and hot baths are the best cures for depression. Dodie Smith
3. Everything will be okay in the end. If it’s not okay, it’s not the end.
4. That which does not kill us makes us stronger. Nietsche
5. The cure for anything is salt water: sweat, tears or the sea. Karen Blixen
6. We can complain because rose bushes have thorns or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses.
7. When life gives you lemons, don’t make lemonade - go and find a very large gin and tonic.
8. Always have something beautiful in sight, even if it’s just a daisy in a glass.
9. If you can’t see the bright side, then polish the dull side.
10. Life isn't about preventing the storms, but about learning to dance in the rain.

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