The clocks have changed once again; the golden leaves are falling, with a crisper feel in the air but with a smell of decay. This is Mother Nature giving her final display of autumn colour. Geese flying high above, across grey skies on their epic migration to pastures new makes this feel that change is certainly upon us. When the shorter days and darker inky black nights appear then ‘winter blues’ can set in very quickly and bring about that feeling of dread and sadness that summer has passed.
You may notice your mood altering:
· A heavy feeling in your chest
· A need for binge eating for comfort
· Feeling lethargic and sluggish
· Winter despondency
A point to note here also is that reduction of sunlight leads to a decreasing level of serotonin. This hormone is known to affect mood appetite as well as sleeping patterns. In addition, there is also an increase in the hormone melatonin, and this can make a person feel sleepier and more depressed. Another factor is that being exposed to less sunlight results in the body absorbing less vitamin D. This in turn is linked with depression and in addition is inclusive of changes in behaviour because when the weather begins to get worse, we tend to spend less time outside engaging in exercise.
But it does not need to be that way because you can help yourself to change your own mood. Please read on!
Change your mood:
Changing your mindset, it not a hard or impossible task to do by engagement in mindful tasks and fun activities.
· Meditate and engage in reflective happy summer thoughts
· Make the most of the shorter daylight hours by getting up early on your days off and getting outside
· Take an autumn walk with a loved one
· Collect autumn artefacts and make a collage with the kids
· Plant bulbs now for the spring
· Engage in Autumn customs and festivities – go pumpkin picking with a loved one
· Make a Christmas Cake
· Freshen up the paint work in readiness for Christmas
· Engage in random acts of kindness to someone you don’t know; For instance, smile and let someone go before you in the supermarket queue
· If need be, seek out in finding professional help in a qualified therapist or counsellor.
So, by reading the above you may have now decided to take action to improve your mood – so don’t delay. Change your mindset and embrace the changing season by engaging in something that you feel is right for you!
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