© Esteban

If your budget won't stretch to a trip to sunnier climes (Ed: mine certainly won't after the sales!), the next best thing to do is find alternative ways of getting a bit of sunshine into your life... 

27. "I light peach scented candles when I get home to give the place a Mediterranean feel, and imagine myself in a vineyard in the Riviera." Helen, 28

28. "Listen to modern jazz like Bossa Nova to escape from the grizzle!" Leah, 31 

29. "Whenever it's not raining, I get the barbecue out and cook up fresh fish, meat and veg kebabs. My neighbours think I'm crackers, but we pretend it's sunny August and it always lifts everyone's spirits." Elaine

30. "I do as much exotic cooking as I can, adding curry spice and saffron to all my recipes. Just the smell of spicy food is enough to transport you to sun-baked marketplaces far away!" Mary, 41