When autumn arrives, some of us experience a dip in mood, perhaps what feels like ‘autumnal blues’, as we attempt to regain a routine – the kids are back at school, there’s more traffic on the roads, more emails as everyone is back at work, the days feel shorter and we’ve still got Covid-19 to deal with.

If you’ve enjoyed the long days and bouts of sunshine and you’re worried about what the change in season will bring, here are some tips for adjusting to the new season:

 

Get Outside.

It may be a bit wet at times but autumn is a beautiful time of year. Get those wellies on, go outside and savour it.  Experience the crunching of the leaves beneath your feet.  Notice the trees and their changing colours. Practice being conscious of the ‘here and now’ by listening – what sounds can you hear? - looking – what colours can you see?  and smelling – what aromas are in the air? 

Plant Spring Bulbs

By getting some daffodils and tulips bulbs in the ground in autumn, you can enjoy them in spring - and reap the benefits of spending a
 bit of time now, for a beautiful display in a few months. If you haven’t got a garden – could you put some bulbs in tubs outside your front door or on your balcony? What about planting up some indoor hyacinths?

Soak up the Light.

Spend more time outdoors to make the most of what sunlight there is – that might mean going to bed slightly earlier and getting up earlier, to take in the morning sunshine.

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.   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.  

Exercise every day

Autumn’s a great time for enjoying the outdoors, so make the most of it by taking long walks or cycle rides. Ok - we know not every day's going to be nice and dry and there will be days when you don't feel like going out - or you cannot go out because you're isolating - maybe some stretches and an online workout? There's loads of great stuff online - and you can make sure it's tailored to your level of fitness. 

Change your diet

The autumn season is a great time to make your favourite seasonal soups and warm meals. You can supercharge a humble bowl of soup with plenty of veg and pulses. As well as adding flavour and texture, your clever additions will add nutrients that will help support your immunity and boost general wellbeing.

Start something new

Because autumn is a time of fresh starts - a new school term, a new season - why not think of it as a time to declutter, tidy the house, garden, and reorganise. This new venture doesn’t have to be a huge, onerous undertaking – why not try a new recipe every week, or grow some herbs on a sunny window sill?

And if you’re looking for something more, learning something new can be extremely fulfilling and there are many evening classes starting up online this autumn.  Is there a local book club that you’ve been meaning to try out?  Maybe online is a good place to start for you? Contact the organiser and find out how the group is operating during this period.

Reframe your outlook

If you’re inclined to think about autumn as a time when you’ll be stuck indoors because it’s wet and increasingly cold - or maybe you're having to isolate - try to think of being inside as snuggly and warm. One way to do this is to tweak the environment in your home. This doesn’t mean spending a fortune on new furnishings, but how about getting a  comfortable, warm, throw on the sofa and teaming it up with cushions in autumnal oranges, browns and greens?

Autumn – here we come!