A friend says grey, rainy days really get them down. What would you suggest they try?

A natural way to answer

I'd suggest a few small things. First, don't let yourself mope around indoors all day — even a short walk in the rain can help. And making your home warm and cosy really does take the edge off the gloom.

Key phrases to use

• mope around — move about slowly and miserably, feeling sad and doing nothing useful“Don't just mope around the house all weekend.”
• take the edge off — make something unpleasant a bit less strong or difficult to bear“A warm coat takes the edge off the cold.”
• takes the edge off — makes something unpleasant a bit less strong or difficult to bear“A hot drink takes the edge off the cold.”
• snug as a bug — extremely warm, cosy and comfortable“Under that thick duvet I was snug as a bug.”