So many of us are in love with autumn. The changing colours, crisp leaves underfoot, the wild wet and windy weather and the slow winding down towards winter and hibernation. But it’s no secret that the changing seasons can play havoc with our mental health, especially if you’re particularly sensitive to changing weather patterns or suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).
We start to notice the nights drawing in during August and this can be a major trigger for feelings of apprehension and anxiety for the cold, dark weeks to come. The shorter days can be a real struggle for many people and the weather often makes it difficult to get outside and make the most of the daylight hours. Many of us will lose motivation, feel more tired, and may even end up feeling quite depressed as we move closer towards the winter months.
Self care is so important during this transition phase, and what you do now, will only benefit you as we progress further into winter. So, how can you protect your wellbeing during autumn and make sure that you’re prepared for the darker, colder months ahead?
Make sure the basics are covered first. This means prioritising sleep, eating well and getting enough exercise. It’s easy for these things to start to drop off in autumn as we say goodbye to summer salads and opt for more hearty, comforting meals, whilst lacking motivation to get outside and move around. And, when the clocks go back, this can be extremely disruptive to our sleeping patterns. You may already find that you are starting to feel more tired than usual or have been sleeping more recently.
Establish and maintain good routines. This doesn’t mean you need to micromanage every hour of your day, but just having activities that you do at certain times, or on certain days can really help. It might be that you go out for a brisk walk every morning before you start work, or over your lunch break, or that you meet up with friends for a coffee every Sunday morning or visit family for lunch. This also means that you’ll always have something to look forward to and this is key to avoiding those mid-season slumps.
Focus on the things you enjoy. Whether it’s curling up with a good book, cosy socks and blankets, getting outside in the fresh morning air, or Halloween or Bonfire night festivities, reflecting and focusing on the things you love most about this season is a great way to combat any feelings of stress and worry. You may even wish to try something new this year like signing up for a class or finding a new hobby to enjoy. It’s important to stay connected and socialise with people, too, and ward off any feelings of isolation and loneliness that are only amplified when the longer nights draw in.
If you find yourself dreading this time of year due to the challenges it throws up, it’s certainly worth talking to your doctor about. SAD is pretty common, especially in the northern hemisphere and there are many ways to alleviate the symptoms, including medication, talking therapies and light therapy.
Depression is a complex and deeply personal experience, and there is no one-size-fits-all solution. By investing in depression management coaching, you’ll be taking the first step in your journey to healing. My aim is to empower you to break the cycle by understanding the patterns of depression and learn to break free from its grip. Together we can help you to cultivate resilience to develop emotional resilience and the ability to bounce back from setbacks.