Comments
Canaries win AC spin award with dark nights productivity survey
2009-10-27 09:41:48
And this week's Spin of the Week award goes to ... drum roll, drum roll ... the Canary Island tourism board, Promotur.
If you don't know why, you probably weren't concentrating yesterday because you are among the 52 per cent of us - allegedly - whose productivity dropped as we struggled to cope with the dark nights closing in now the clocks have gone back.
Surveys? Don't you love them? Don't you love their utter meaningless which nonetheless may conceal a grain of truth?
And what inventiveness for this survey to be done by a tourism board that will be wanting to make us feel in need of the winter light and heat that the Canaries may have to offer.
Why else would they pay for 2000 people to be quizzed on how the dark nights affect their mood and discover that yesterday, lo and behold, was the most unproductive day of the year?
And the grain of truth? Well, I had a fairly substantial pile of work I was hoping to get through yesterday, and substantially failed, as I found myself being distracted by family, visitors, and also allowing the easier and less important work tasks coming to the front of the queue.
You may also have noticed that I couldn't even be bothered to blog till well into the afternoon, and then it was just a cut and paste from an interview I'd done for a Japanese newspaper. As for my daily exercise dose, I planned on doing ninety minutes on the bike, and stopped for a coffee in Regent's Park after less than an hour.
And by last night - a Monday for heaven's sake - we found ourselves doing what we normally only do at weekends and on holidays, namely watching a DVD - and of a film we had seen before, Slumdog Millionaire. Better second time around by the way.
So by the time I got to my diary, the most interesting observations I had to make were what a spectacularly unproductive day I had had, and how much I wanted to go to India again.
Good job I'm my own boss. 14 per cent of people, says the Canaries' survey, are so unproductive on post clocks going back Monday that their boss tells them off. And eight per cent admitted to calling in sick because they were so depressed at the thought of going to work knowing it would be dark by the time they left for home.
Meanwhile, according to Dr (not sure what type) Christian Jessen (authoritative-sounding Scandinavian name) of Channel 4's 'Embarrassing Illnesses' (what?) 'The Winter Blues are no joke. They can affect your work performance by making you unable to concentrate and carry out your normal roitine, your relationship by affecting your libido and your social life by making you feel irritable and anti-social.'
Better all bugger off to the Canaries then.
Only today, I feel more productive already. Done my morning emails. Begun to clear yesterday's backlog. Done the blog, almost. Got a few meetings, a Leukaemia Research do tonight, and hey, I'm over it. Loving the autumnal colours rather than focussing on the pending late afternoon gloom. It's All In The Mind, to quote a good book.
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Breaking the blog-a-day spell as warm up to holidayPublish date: 2009-07-20 17:44:49
No hiding place from Twitter, me on the bike, JP in DCPublish date: 2009-07-17 18:17:09
At last - something Obama cannot do wellPublish date: 2009-07-16 10:05:47
Will MPs take the lead in the debate on euthanasia?Publish date: 2009-07-15 12:30:01
Berlin brothel leads the way to a greener worldPublish date: 2009-07-14 10:57:25
A time for GB to explain the whole picturePublish date: 2009-07-13 12:37:54
All hail Monty, Jimmy and Collie!Publish date: 2009-07-12 20:06:36
First triathlon of the summer for me, education award for FionaPublish date: 2009-07-12 09:43:06
Of Burnley's friendly and Obama's wandering eyePublish date: 2009-07-11 12:38:52
Two great early morning momentsPublish date: 2009-07-10 10:27:07
Cameron had better be sure he's rightPublish date: 2009-07-09 11:06:22
Guardian scoop has big questions for press, cops and CameronPublish date: 2009-07-08 20:40:54
Divisive legend: Lance ArmstrongPublish date: 2009-07-07 10:38:23
First hug a hoodie, now grab a gayPublish date: 2009-07-06 12:57:09
Mail on Scumday's wonderful account of Lansley's kipperdomPublish date: 2009-07-05 13:14:51
Ecclestone undermines his own success with alarming views on HitlerPublish date: 2009-07-04 14:04:04
When the conmen move more quickly than the councilPublish date: 2009-07-03 10:19:52
Andrew Lansley done up like a kipperPublish date: 2009-07-02 10:10:52
A day spent interviewing footballers, then being interviewed by a transvestite comedianPublish date: 2009-07-01 14:47:40
When the power of black eyes fadesPublish date: 2009-06-30 09:24:59
Farewell to Henry HodgePublish date: 2009-06-29 20:41:12
Honouring the power of sport to do goodPublish date: 2009-06-29 14:49:42
Andy Murray is a winner. Is that why some Brits don't like him?Publish date: 2009-06-28 09:19:20
New Parliament will look very different. The younger the betterPublish date: 2009-06-27 17:34:26
Two nice surprises, sad end to dayPublish date: 2009-06-26 09:16:33
Apology from the Spectator on Iraq boosts Henry Hodge fundPublish date: 2009-06-25 19:57:26
Thanks to Mr Harper on mental health, rebuttal of Mr Hague on IraqPublish date: 2009-06-24 23:47:54
Glad to find Eric Cantona in a quiet cinema ...Publish date: 2009-06-24 00:46:23
By Dave's friends shall we know him?Publish date: 2009-06-23 11:30:20
The Speaker has to balance tradition and change - but defend ParliamentPublish date: 2009-06-22 11:58:44
Less a blog than an apology for not having done onePublish date: 2009-06-21 20:07:43
The day Lions skipper Paul O'Connell took my trousers downPublish date: 2009-06-20 11:48:28
On the Iraq inquiry, Independent article wrongPublish date: 2009-06-19 20:28:24
Thank you to three readers, now please get involvedPublish date: 2009-06-19 09:13:35
A tribute to a lovely manPublish date: 2009-06-18 17:19:40
Bad times in Belfast, great day for Burnley, odd statement from Ed BallsPublish date: 2009-06-18 10:04:47
A plea for five-figure cyber-donationsPublish date: 2009-06-17 07:40:42
On two inquiriesPublish date: 2009-06-16 08:57:39
From India to Iran to Labour witPublish date: 2009-06-15 10:13:17
Memories of Princess DianaPublish date: 2009-06-14 09:54:55
A House Divided?Publish date: 2009-06-13 02:53:47
A humbling NHS experience, a media row and a good GB speechPublish date: 2009-06-12 10:48:46
Psychiatrists heading for relegation in 'disease prestige' league tablePublish date: 2009-06-11 10:25:35
The shrinks awaitPublish date: 2009-06-10 09:44:16
As Obama fights for healthcare, let's celebrate the record herePublish date: 2009-06-09 12:52:55
Anger at BNP seats must be turned into activismPublish date: 2009-06-08 14:11:10
Can today be as frenzied as Friday?Publish date: 2009-06-07 10:31:04
Take heart from a win in LambethPublish date: 2009-06-06 18:46:40
JP is right there was no proper campaign but Tories still weakPublish date: 2009-06-05 13:47:20
Do we care more about the NHS or moats?Publish date: 2009-06-04 00:21:23
Guardian of social justice or attention-seeker?Publish date: 2009-06-03 10:19:33
Who says Britain can't deliver the best?Publish date: 2009-06-02 08:08:38
Mainstream has a duty to vote against BNPPublish date: 2009-06-01 11:03:29
Let Diversity inspire a vote against the hate-filled BNPPublish date: 2009-05-31 12:24:20
White House whack at UK media well-timed but sure to be ignoredPublish date: 2009-05-30 13:41:00
Elvis has a plan to make MPs King againPublish date: 2009-05-29 12:09:44
At least there's a campaign on in ItalyPublish date: 2009-05-28 09:04:32
A blow to gay rights and a boost for Cameron's short-termismPublish date: 2009-05-27 11:27:41
It's my blog and I'll be a big kid if I want toPublish date: 2009-05-26 23:25:58
Highs feel better after so many lowsPublish date: 2009-05-26 10:13:12
Only one present countsPublish date: 2009-05-25 11:05:46
Contrast Cheney and BushPublish date: 2009-05-24 12:11:45
Sex (or at least the female form) obsessed BritainPublish date: 2009-05-23 20:49:57
Sport at both ends of the financial spectrumPublish date: 2009-05-23 09:57:23
Stronger together - whether Scotland or expensesPublish date: 2009-05-22 10:22:36
Back to Number 10, familiar faces, familiar argumentsPublish date: 2009-05-21 10:14:34
Speaking up for ParliamentPublish date: 2009-05-20 11:44:17
Peace in the Middle East - yes he canPublish date: 2009-05-19 09:37:35
Breaking news - one frenzy at a timePublish date: 2009-05-18 10:34:30
Getting a good look at Vince CablePublish date: 2009-05-17 09:36:55
How do you solve a problem like Silvio?Publish date: 2009-05-16 09:32:21
It was the internet wot won itPublish date: 2009-05-15 10:04:57
There now follows ... a good whack at CameronPublish date: 2009-05-14 17:21:28
They got their kit off - so you get your cash outPublish date: 2009-05-14 07:41:11
Expenses row must not obscure Tory intentions on minimum wagePublish date: 2009-05-13 16:12:08
We love you Burnley, we do ... what a nightPublish date: 2009-05-13 02:37:17
A tweet cannot express the wonders of TGVPublish date: 2009-05-12 08:48:31
It's Mind week - Get it off your Chest with me and Stephen FryPublish date: 2009-05-11 06:29:15
Hate the Mail, love ObamaPublish date: 2009-05-10 10:04:00
Burnley 1 Reading 0 - a biased reportPublish date: 2009-05-09 21:26:32
MPs expenses - time for party leaders to meet againPublish date: 2009-05-09 09:50:19
Should happiness replace prosperity as national goal?Publish date: 2009-05-08 08:43:23
Musings from a sleepless nightPublish date: 2009-05-07 07:33:49
Darren Fletcher - an injustice that has to be rightedPublish date: 2009-05-06 09:52:29
Maggie's legacy not as great as she thinksPublish date: 2009-05-05 08:33:02
Here's hoping Cardiff is metaphor for CameronPublish date: 2009-05-04 09:38:30
More Mr Benn and Co pleasePublish date: 2009-05-03 10:03:00
Going Fourth with JPPublish date: 2009-05-02 18:25:41
Journalism - print first, think laterPublish date: 2009-05-02 09:10:01
In praise of two poetsPublish date: 2009-05-01 10:26:36
JP hits the road againPublish date: 2009-04-29 18:52:11
My night with Eddie IzzardPublish date: 2009-04-29 10:53:25
Explaining the 50p top tax ratePublish date: 2009-04-28 09:22:53
George Best and Martin McGuinnessPublish date: 2009-04-27 09:02:35
Cameron confused over indepdendence and impartialityPublish date: 2009-04-26 12:20:56
Guide ro Marathon running part 2Publish date: 2009-04-25 11:01:34
Good signals on coal and the OlympicsPublish date: 2009-04-24 10:45:28
Tips for the London MarathonPublish date: 2009-04-23 17:29:27
Missed the Budget, saw why it matteredPublish date: 2009-04-22 23:09:31
Football good, politics bad. AllegedlyPublish date: 2009-04-22 00:00:24
The Great Wall gets greaterPublish date: 2009-04-21 09:55:22
Two sides to police storyPublish date: 2009-04-20 11:39:54
Budgets, Balls, billionaires and Susan BoylePublish date: 2009-04-19 12:31:45
Do muscles have memories?Publish date: 2009-04-18 09:44:44
Bring back standing at footballPublish date: 2009-04-17 14:50:22
When Facebook friends fall outPublish date: 2009-04-16 12:29:16
Guardian sightings and the email and bath plug agendaPublish date: 2009-04-15 11:32:16
The spin is all in the prismPublish date: 2009-04-14 09:22:41
A setback, not a crisisPublish date: 2009-04-13 12:55:19
The real lessons from Damian McBridePublish date: 2009-04-12 10:49:47
Will English always be the dominant language?Publish date: 2009-04-11 10:02:02
On the pipes and what makes a ScotPublish date: 2009-04-10 11:06:20
John Prescott lazy? NO WAYPublish date: 2009-04-09 09:11:31
David Frost is seventyPublish date: 2009-04-08 08:48:38
The Speaker, BBC2, tonight and tomorrow 8pmPublish date: 2009-04-07 14:25:31
Obama, colds and being woken by Korean missilesPublish date: 2009-04-06 11:59:24
When a call matters more than protocolPublish date: 2009-04-05 11:33:42
Green Cities Champions LeaguePublish date: 2009-04-04 10:19:53
Could Cameron have delivered the G20 deal?Publish date: 2009-04-03 10:11:59
Of Benn and BonoPublish date: 2009-04-02 08:21:16
Memo to Sarko - allez vite a LondresPublish date: 2009-04-01 08:46:17
Happy April Fool's DayPublish date: 2009-04-01 01:44:05
Eurostar, Le Monde and a thought for the G20 sherpasPublish date: 2009-03-31 09:17:22
Why Kevin Rudd made an impactPublish date: 2009-03-30 10:24:41
Pre-G20 hype matters less than post-G20 processPublish date: 2009-03-29 13:17:28
The Damned UnitedPublish date: 2009-03-28 10:37:04
A hobby horse, a plug and a bit of sportPublish date: 2009-03-27 10:22:23
Cloughie - he had a lot to be big-headed aboutPublish date: 2009-03-26 09:38:36
A sad sight of the old fearing the youngPublish date: 2009-03-25 17:03:07
Post-modern, post-structural, or bullshit?Publish date: 2009-03-25 08:18:02
Learning the right lessons from ObamaPublish date: 2009-03-24 08:53:15
Lazy Dave needs to keep an eye on lazy KenPublish date: 2009-03-23 11:16:14
Farewell favourite restaurant, hello hometownPublish date: 2009-03-22 08:18:09
Dave, Danny and have the Tories really changed?Publish date: 2009-03-21 08:55:13
Life beyond Dover ...Publish date: 2009-03-20 10:11:21
My friends in The New Statesman - Fergie, Fiona, Tony, Sarah, Kevin, 'Dacre,' and a great GB idea for the G20Publish date: 2009-03-18 10:38:22
Iraq, Iran, GB, Obama and diplomatic chessPublish date: 2009-03-17 10:07:13
The Age of StupidPublish date: 2009-03-16 08:27:13
Is all change good?Publish date: 2009-03-15 10:00:06
The pressure of being a post-modern sex godPublish date: 2009-03-14 10:00:55
Cameron still hasn't sealed the deal with businessPublish date: 2009-03-13 09:21:49
Stand up for social workersPublish date: 2009-03-12 08:31:17
Surely Malcolm Tucker could have told Armando Ianucci ... You can't spin a spinnerPublish date: 2009-03-11 10:58:25
Start of a new approach from Labour?Publish date: 2009-03-10 09:54:12
A peace process still strongPublish date: 2009-03-09 08:21:05
Day of destiny for the real footballer of the yearPublish date: 2009-03-08 09:21:06
Private advice to Peggy Mitchell - the leaked note in fullPublish date: 2009-03-07 08:17:21
Boris, the Tories and the tummy-tickling poodle pressPublish date: 2009-03-06 09:49:37
A day in the life of the self-obsessed TV reporterPublish date: 2009-03-05 07:55:47
GB - good speech, well deliveredPublish date: 2009-03-04 19:31:05
Notes on the environment, a role in EastEndersPublish date: 2009-03-04 10:58:56
She may be my 'wife' but it is time to rebut!Publish date: 2009-03-03 10:52:59
Some speeches matter more than othersPublish date: 2009-03-02 12:04:45
Mental health and the Carling Cup FinalPublish date: 2009-03-01 09:08:17
Inside the chocolate factoryPublish date: 2009-02-28 10:23:59
GB on the G20, JP on Jeremy KylePublish date: 2009-02-27 09:14:36
Charity and the credit crunch, please give generously!Publish date: 2009-02-26 08:55:12
Why oh why are the Tories not home and dry?Publish date: 2009-02-24 09:44:59
Me, Dermot and ten top songsPublish date: 2009-02-23 10:02:19
Names round-upPublish date: 2009-02-22 08:43:39
What's in a name?Publish date: 2009-02-21 09:58:14
Editing the New StatesmanPublish date: 2009-02-20 11:42:36
Salute Peter M’s proper use of the F wordPublish date: 2009-02-19 09:58:58
Labour's communications challenge for the NHSPublish date: 2009-02-18 10:34:39
In praise of KeighleyPublish date: 2009-02-17 14:33:57
A night at the EmiratesPublish date: 2009-02-17 00:06:51
When marriage is testedPublish date: 2009-02-16 13:36:35
Spare me the myths and the whiningPublish date: 2009-02-15 13:29:50
Dave Cameron - is that all there is?Publish date: 2009-02-14 11:11:55
Boris Johnson: F is for ...Publish date: 2009-02-13 07:55:10
The Cameron vacuumPublish date: 2009-02-12 14:48:33
Lincoln, Obama, Blair and the 24 hour media culturePublish date: 2009-02-11 10:28:47
Eighteen interviews later ...Publish date: 2009-02-10 19:24:45
Time to talk about Time to Change on NewsnightPublish date: 2009-02-09 22:47:49
So that’s what they mean by online community?Publish date: 2009-02-08 12:12:51
First blogPublish date: 2009-02-05 15:23:57
Trevor Malcolm, Portsmouth Hampshire
2009-10-28 03:44:57TAT? … SAD? … ANYONE ELSE FOR A DOCTOR SPIN’S ACRONYM?
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Those mischievous Canaries, now. First it’s swine-flu the NHS claims is a-spreading, now it’s spin-doctoring to encourage foreign tourism; shameful opportunists, these spin-doctors
Your blog, (27 October 2009), claims darker nights affect the mood of what’s left of the work-force, the productivity of those with jobs slumping a massive 52%
Where do we turn for answers? Solutions to the age-old challenges of SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) or TAT (Tired All the Time disorder, a revised, spinned-up medical acronym for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome)
The “good book” you recommend – All in the Mind – left me clueless how to cope with a little-understood, but widespread condition that inflicts sufferers with little choice but non-functioning in winter, some days with little option but to hibernate under their duvet
Sir, you are blessed, I must protest, if you escape “Winter SAD” whereas by now, your predecessor as Mind Champion of the Year, the eminent and authoritative, Dr Liz Miller already has her “light-box” set up and functioning. This way, Lizzie too, is still capable of functioning, thank you
You quote in your blog, (see opposite), Dr Christian Jessen, claiming "Winter Blues are no joke" - believe me, he ain't kiddin'
Winter Blues’ clinical symptoms include prolonged sleep, often lasting all day. Carbohydrate cravings, eg for starchy food, sweeteners – cravings so overwhelming - the like of which you would have to experience yourself, to believe possible. A crash in energy, usually during late afternoons, that leave the sufferer incapable of even standing up, akin to a huge and sudden drop in a patient’s blood pressure level
To read a list of medical symptoms related to such mood disorders, feels like an exercise in how many different, inhumane ways doctors can find to insult patients
One reason such patients don’t make impassioned activists and march on Parliament in protest at lack of funding for research towards effective treatment, is their condition leaves them physically non-functioning, as if lying in a coma
Inert, but with no possibility of future action. Although it’s currently hip and fashionable with both major political parties to label them as “ … feckless, lazy, “Disability Benefit” fraudsters … “
A search enquiry on Labour’s beloved NHS website resource, www.nhs.uk, for righteous advice and “Counsel of Perfection” (The Bible: Matthew, chapter xix, verse 21), predictably proved patchy and misleading in theory and would be largely useless in practice
So, any positive news? Well, the above clinical indications do predict some likelihood of good response to the alerting effects of Photo-Therapy. That will include sitting at least twice daily in front of a SAD box, I’m afraid, folks
This field is the specialism of Dr Ian Rodin, forward-thinking Professor of University nearby, published co-author of the book entitled “Psychiatry, an illustrated text” and my Consultant and mentor for over eight consecutive years
Ongoing clinical tests, begun over a decade ago, suggest Brite-Box wake-up lighting, during winter, mimics the higher quality of summer daytime light levels and perhaps those exposed to such treatment, learn to compensate for and eventually adjust to the extreme and variable colour temperatures between summer and winter light levels
The only “good book” worth recommending is the seminal novel on the subject, entitled “Darkness Visible” by the late William Styron,(1925-2006). Read that, instead
An autobiographical novel, short in length, but rich in reassurance and courage for the despairing. Fewer pages: no need, the elegaic novel says “a lot in a little” about the evils and bleakness of depression, still the least understood condition human beings can experience during a lifetime
Trevor Malcolm
Portsmouth, Hampshire
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Michael Taggart
2009-10-27 14:18:56That's weird, I had the exact same survey - with the same results - through on email from a recruitment firm. Their survey was also, coincidentally, helpful to their business, as they explained: "We can help you get out of the rut by finding a new job".
Em
2009-10-27 11:56:20We don't change the clocks until next week in North America and I completely missed the change that first year I lived in London. I arrived 90 minutes late to a brunch on the Sunday and late at work for two days until my boss figured out what was going on.
Not so unproductive as brazenly late.
Loved the tone of the blog today. You're good when you're funny.
Kam Ham
2009-10-27 11:34:32Small world - I watched Slumdog last night too. Then I did a search for it on twitter ... there are loads of us watching it! Agree better second time around and it was pretty damned good the first time. The acting of the kids is superb
Hugh Mason
2009-10-27 11:32:58We all deserve the occasional quiet day though my sense of your quiet days is that they are the same as many people's busy days. Today is a beautiful autumn day and I was cheered by your morning musing. I come here for politics but the odd day off from that is no bad thing either
Brian Hughes
2009-10-27 11:27:00The Spin of the Week award could possibly go to the Association of Teachers and Lecturers. David Aaronovitch exposed its survey methods in the Times on April 7th this year after it published a report purporting to show that a quarter of teachers "had seen pupils being physically violent, either towards the teacher or another student”. The story was trumpeted by the BBC and several newspapers as further evidence that the country's going to the dogs.
Except that the survey was so flawed it should never have been given the proverbial oxygen of publicity.
The Association was at it again yesterday with a report claiming that "30% of school staff have been the subject of a false allegation of misconduct by a pupil". I wonder if it was based on the same sloppy methodology viz. send out an unsolicited email and assume that the replies come from a representative sample of the profession.
Trouble is, journalists are either too busy or too lazy to verify stuff that comes to them on fancy press releases especially if the story suits their bosses' desire to fill the world with gloom!
I have no doubt that much of what passes as "news" is from similarly biased and/or unreliable sources.
As Voltaire's Candide concluded (more or less, my 18th century French isn't up to much) we'd do better to ignore such stuff and instead cultivate our gardens...
Alan Quinn
2009-10-27 11:00:29Alastair, re the DVD watching and your love of France have you seen "36, Quai des Orfèvres"? Not a family film but quite superb. Also I found "Tell No One" a great film , lots of twist and turns in the plot that only become apparent at the end.
On the Winter doom aspect I find January and February the most gloomy, I wish I could bugger off to the Canaries but alas I can't afford it.
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