How Not to Fall in Autumn

Guest Blog, written by community member – Clare Moller

Clare writes:

I love autumn, it's my favourite time of year. Autumn has its own almost smokey smell. It's also cosier at this time of year, as well as sometimes good weather still and it leads to Christmas, (yes, I see that as a good thing!), with lights and the colours lighting up the dark.

Though this year it came too soon! It felt autumnal from mid-August this year, which should still be still summer.

The images of autumn are walks in the park in an afternoon and watch the colours change, the leaves falling, the colours in nature all around very vibrant yet darkening. It is wonderful.

Then you return to a cosy home, curl up in a comfy place, with blankets and easy watching TV. Comfort food, healthy of course! And a favourite drink of your choice, cuddling your nearest and dearest, preferably your animals, or just yourself, that's all that you need.  Having the nights inside-focused rather than outside-focused like in daylight times, combating darkness. Cosiness is key.

There is a down fall (pardon the pun) of autumn. That is the transition from a lot of daylight to drawn in nights and darker mornings. For a lot of people, including myself, that transition can be quite hard. Our bodies love the daylight, so the less daylight/light we have can make us more tired and sometimes more down. I know, for me it takes a week, to adjust to the darker nights/mornings when they really come in in late October. Which seems to be standard.

So how do we handle this? As I researched briefly, the same things kept coming up:

•      Lights to help with the dark. Soft lighting, candles even to combat winter darkness is best. Different colours help because they are very very soothing. Light therapy is recommended a lot.

•      Getting out more in the daytime helps, to make more use of it as there's less light than the plentiful luxury of it in spring/summer.

•      Being cosy again is a help. It just makes us feel good. Also, being warm obviously helps, being wrapped in a blanket is comforting to be almost "hugged" by the blanket.

•      Exercising regularly.

•      Eating well- a great diet is a must.

•      Waking up in the light, even a lamp and a regular sleep routine helps.

Of course, these are only suggestions. Whatever works works. Making sure you are healthy and safe are all that matters. Mentally, physically and emotionally. Know also to enjoy this time of year, get into winter and love it - it's good too - and the next light seasons will be coming again. Take this opportunity to rest, to hibernate, to regenerate and to chill and relax. Take advantage of it, that's what it's there for. Be healthy. Be safe. Be cosy. Love this season for what it is with lots of laughter always!

About the author: Clare comes to Pause & Breathe and has been involved in our community for the last 4 years. She has an interest in writing and was looking to share her experiences of Autumn.