Weekend Debate: How to beat the January blues (update)

UPDATE: Thanks to all of those who took part in 2014’s inaugural debate, and thanks for the inspiration. It read like a true gaming self-help book :) The following five posters claim the Gran Turismo 6 codes: TVR-77, xion1116, randomtrav132, Project2insanity and solarwind12. Congratulations – keep an eye on your PMs over on the PlayStation forums later this week.
ORIGINAL POST: I don’t know about you, but the last five days have been a struggle. After a couple of weeks of glorious R&R, returning to the coalface has been a shock to the system! Too many late nights and long lie-ins over the Christmas break have resulted in some horrible wrestling matches with the alarm clock this week. What’s more, the relentless wind, rain, mud and gloom up here in the UK (coupled with the disappearance of mince pies from the nation’s supermarket shelves) have wrecked my mojo, pure and simple.

I’m half joking about my January malaise, but on a more serious note gaming can of course provide real comfort, solace and escape when the chips are down, whatever the season. With that in mind, your debate topic this week: how do you best harness the joyful power of the humble video game to lift your mood? Maybe there’s a particular classic game that never fails to put a smile on your face? Or perhaps you’re the kind of person who looks to something a little more visceral to vent some frustration?
Let me know your suggestions below. The five most thoughtful and/or entertaining posts claim themselves a download code for blistering, brilliant PS3 racer Gran Turismo 6. Good luck!