You may have noticed the cooler evenings, the sudden influx of spiders and perhaps made the transition of air conditioning to heater in the car for the dewy mornings.
The nights are drawing in ridiculously quick and it feels like there is less time in the evenings. How was there so much time to sit in the garden watching the kids play on the trampoline before bed in the summer? 7am now feels like the middle of the night as the sun hasn’t lulled you into a slow wakefulness and the birds are taking their time to perform their morning chorus.
Autumn is upon us but that doesn’t mean your summery disposition has to fade with the transition of post holiday blues. Read on to get the best out of this season so you are not counting the days till spring! Fall in love with Autumn as it’s time to boost your mental wellbeing.
Go Outside
Go outside and savour the moment. Experience the crunching of leaves beneath your feet. Notice the beauty of your environment as the season changes and prepares itself for winter.
The September and October sun can still be strong and particularly bright so be sure to top up your vitamin D levels when you can. If you have children, take them outside for a walk and go on a nature trail. Encourage and engage children in being conscious of the ‘here and now’ by talking about what sounds they can hear, what colours they can see and what smells are in the air. This is great practice for them in boosting self awareness and appreciation of what is around them. Fabulous for you as well, as you are able to unwind and slow down too.
You can collect leaves and other items for a scrapbook and creative activities, teach the children how to play with conkers and take photos galore to build on those memories.
Go walking at different times of day in the autumn to soak up what the season has to offer. Be sure to catch the many vivid sunsets and beautiful skylines. During the day, shadows lengthen as the season goes on so this is another opportunity for a game with the kids – chasing and stepping on shadows!
“The small but intense pleasure of walking through dry leaves and kicking them up as you go…they rustle, they bristle, they crackle…” Vita Sackville-West
Plant some bulbs – daffodils are just right to put in the ground or tubs in October. Tulips are best planted in November. By doing this you can take some enjoyment in preparing for spring and reaping the benefits of spending a bit of time now for a fab display in a few months.
Halloween & Bonfire Night
These two celebrations are a major part of the autumnal calendar. I personally love both, however I appreciate that there are elements to them that flare a cause for worry in some. For example, pets and fireworks aren’t a great mix are they?!
If you love these events, then there is no advice needed, however if you are slightly averse, then think about how best you can manage these dates so that they do not cause concern for you. There are lots of safety tips on the internet and from local authorities about both.
There is still plenty of fun, beauty and creativity to be had with Guy Fawkes and Halloween, so do check to see what is on locally near you as an opportunity to engage with others and soak up the atmosphere. Get carving those pumpkins!
Be Prepared
If you haven’t already, it’s time to put the cosy, thicker duvet on the bed! Sort out all of the summer clothes and put them away and replace them with your autumnal favourites!
Do you have scarves, gloves, hat and warm footwear? What about those wellies? If not or they’ve got too old and worn, find the time to have some fun at the shops acquiring your new goods. It doesn’t have to cost loads – just make sure you’ve got what you need to keep warm so you can go outside and enjoy the season.
Stay Connected and Maintain Interests and Hobbies
Summer is usually easier to be social as the sunny weather generally has a quick positive impact on our wellbeing and we can feel more energised, happier and motivated to make plans and stick to them. With longer days it can feel as though there is more time and that even after work you can meet for a bbq or long evening walk with a friend or neighbour.
When autumn arrives, it is normal to experience a dip in mood, perhaps what feels like ‘autumnal blues’ as we attempt to regain a routine – back to school, more traffic on the roads at rush hour, more emails as everyone is back at work!
Think about how you can stay connected socially and resist the urge to hibernate until March! Try planning a few things in the calendar to look forward to in order to ease the seasonal transition – cinema trips, coffee meet ups and opportunities to chat, investing in the relationships you wish to nurture.
You may be someone who has a routine of regular exercise or hobbies during the week – if so, great. If not, is there something you’ve been wanting to do but not got around to starting? Learning something new can be extremely fulfilling and the great thing about autumn and learning is that evening college and adult education classes are about to get under way. Is there a local book club, Mindfulness group or yoga class you’ve been meaning to try out? Whatever your interests may be, ‘now’ is always a good time to explore how you can blend them into your lifestyle.
Other Reasons to Love Autumn!
Dew covered cobwebs – Heartier dinners (shepherds pie, pie and mash) – Letting your significant other hug you at night – Hot Chocolate with cream and marshmallows – Your favourite cardigan or jumper – Television programmes are better – Christmas is around the corner!
If you are experiencing persistent low mood and have concerns about your mental health, please do make an appointment to see your GP and seek some advice and support.
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