Yes it's officially the year's most depressing day, according to a maths formula worked up by UK psychologist Cliff Arnall as part of a seriously successful PR campaign for Sky Travel many moons ago.
Still, the formula and date has passed into legend and so we decided to work up a little list of things you could do in London today to make yourself feel a lot better.
1. Have a proper coffee to kickstart your day.
Not a thin, coffee-coloured Starbucks pastiche or the gritty liquid passing for coffee that you get out of the machine at work - decent rocket fuel or a great flat white. Wander around your local area and pop into the nearest independent coffee shop.
2. Once you've lined your stomach it's time to think of breakfast.
If you're really cunning you'll have arranged a breakfast meeting - and charged it to your company. Jolly places to start the day include Quo Vadis for their homemade manchets in Soho, the breakfast of kings (and celebs) at The Wolseley or a plate of spicy Huevos Rancheros from new Moorgate spot Bad Egg.
3. Make it past lunch and you'll have broken the back of the day.
Not got long? Good grab-it-and-go options on a depressing day include Smack Lobster or Chifafa in Farringdon. Or if someone else is paying, how about Spring where all that natural light should boost your serotonin levels.
4. Pre-dinner drinks
Tonight we're headed to the Connaught, ourselves. If budgets allow, you should head somewhere where they make a good strong cocktail. Bars (and drinks) we'd rate here are Artesian at the Langham, a Martini at Dukes Hotel, a Nettle gimlet at Zetter Townhouse or a buttered Old Fashioned at one of the Hawksmoors. Alternatively, head to Mission or Sager + Wilde for a really good bottle of wine.
5. Go somewhere lovely for dinner
On such a day you need elevating from the morass of misery around you. You need somewhere buzzy with lovely staff and food to pick up your sugar levels. Any of the following should do the trick:
- Bob Bob Ricard
- Mari Vanna
- Galvin Bistro du Luxe
- Green Man and French Horn
- The Colony Grill Room
- Gymkhana
- Kitty Fisher's
- Dishoom KX
- Cafe Pistou
- Smoking Goat
- Compagnie des Vins Surnaturels
