Diversion

Many factors accumulate to help the unwary depressive climb from the dark, deep ocean. Concerned and loving family members are useful, if not essential, and a variety of colourful tablets seem to help present the world as a bearable entity. For me, cycling every day increased the happy endorphins in their race through the veins, and an autistic but devoted border collie provided a check by directing accusing, doleful eyes at me regularly. On top of all that, the BBC iplayer (other players are probably available) downloaded to my fruit-based mobile device made a measurable difference.

Quite why it is free, I don't know. It's like some kind of woolly socialism in action. But whatever; thanks Tom Ravenscroft, Stuart Maconie, Stewart Lee, Richard Herring, David Mitchell, Miles Jupp, and the cast of 'I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue.' Along with a good pair of sweat proof headphones.